<*    \ 


MANUAL 


VERTEBRATES 


ITOKTHEKN'  insTITED  STATES, 


INCLUDING 


THE   DISTRICT  EAST  OF  THE  MISSISSIPPI  RIVER,  AND  NORTH  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA  AND  TENNESSEE,  EXCLUSIVE 

OF   MARINE   SPECIES. 


DAVID  STARR  JORDAN,  M.S.,  M.D. 

PROFESSOR  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY  IN  N.  TV.  C.  UNIVERSITY,  AND  IN  INDIANA 
STATE   MEDICAL   COLLEGE. 


CHICAGO: 

JANSEN,   McCLURG   &   COMPANY. 
1876. 


Jfo 

LIBRARY 


COPYRIGHT, 

JANSEN,   MoCLURG   &   COMPANY. 
A.D.    1876. 


THE  LAKESIDE  PRESS.  CHICAGO. 


PEEFAOE. 


This  book  has  been  written  to  give  collectors  and  students 
who  are  not  specialists,  a  ready  means  of  identifying  the  families, 
genera  and  species  of  our  Vertebrate  Animals.  In  deference  to 
the  uniform  experience  of  botanists,  and  in  view  of  the  remarkable 
success  achieved  by  Dr.  COUES,  in  the  application  of  the  method  to 
Ornithology,  the  author  has  adopted  the  system  of  artificial  keys. 

To  keep  the  book  of  a  size  convenient  for  field  use,  class  and 
ordinal  characters  have  been  abbreviated,  since  they  do  not  lie 
directly  within  the  purpose  of  the  work ;  generic  characters  have 
been  confined  to  the  "  key,"  under  the  head  of  each  family, 
while  for  specific  characters,  only  such  points  have  been  gen- 
erally retained,  as  are  distinctive  as  well  as  descriptive.  The 
same  necessity  has  led  to  the  suppression  of  many  of  the  doubt- 
ful or  nominal  "species,"  which  still  encumber  our  systematic 
works,  and  to  the  omission  of  synonymy  and  references  to  auth- 
orities, excepting  in  cases  of  recent  or  original  changes  of 
nomenclature. 

Use  has  been  freely  made  of  every  available  source  of  infor- 
mation, and  it  is  believed  that  the  present  state  of  our  knowl- 
edge is  fairly  represented. 

The  account  of  the  Mammals  has  been  chiefly  compiled  from 
PROP.  BAIRD'S  "  Mammals  of  North  America,"  in  the  light  of 
the  recent  revisions  by  Mr.  J.  A.  ALLEN,  Dr.  COUES,  and  Prof. 
GILL.  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  B.  H.  VAN  VLECK,  of  Cambridge, 
Mass,  for  the  revision  of  the  proof-sheets  of  the  Mammals  and 
the  Turtles. 

I  wish  further  to  express  my  deep  obligation  to  Dr.  ELLIOTT 
COUES,  having  by  his  advice  and  consent,  made  free  use  of  all 
his  published  writings.  These  have  been  drawn  upon  especi- 
ally in  the  preparation  of  the  keys  to  the  Warblers,  the  Hawks, 
and  other  difficult  groups,  in  the  descriptions  of  the  Water 

3 


M8563' 


4  PREFACE. 

Birds,  and  in  the  preliminary  key  to  the  ordeis  of  Birds.  Dr. 
COUES  has  also  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal  the  advance -sheets 
of  his  yet  unpublished  monograph  of  American  Bats. 

I  am  also  under  obligations  to  Messrs.  BAIRD  and  RIDGWAY, 
whose  writings  have  been  to  ine  of  essential  service;  to  Prof. 
COPE,  whose  numerous  papers  have  been  of  great  value  in  the 
systematic  arrangement  of  the  Fishes,  and  whose  check  list  of 
the  Reptiles  and  Batrachiaus  has  been  closely  followed  in  the 
classification  of  those  groups ;  to  Prof.  GILL,  whose  arrangement 
of  the  families  of  Fishes  has  been,  with  few  modifications, 
adopted  in  the  present  work ;  to  Dr.  GUNTHER,  whose  Catalogue 
of  Fishes  is  the  vade-mecum  of  the  working  ichthyologist;  to 
Prof.  RICHARD  BLISS,  Jr.,  who  has  generously  aided  me  in  the 
identification  of  the  Ichthelidse,  in  advance  of  the  publication  of 
his  monograph  of  that  most  difficult  group ;  to  Mr.  E.  W.  NELSON, 
of  Chicago,  who  has  kindly  furnished  me  with  a  yet  unpub- 
lished list  of  the  Birds  and  Reptiles  of  Illinois;  to  Prof.  F.  W. 
PUTNAM,  Dr.  B.  G.  WILDER,  and  Dr.  C.  C.  ABBOTT,  for  the  loan 
of  books  and  other  aids;  to  Prof.  H.  E.  COPELAND,  for  help  of 
various  kinds,  particularly  in  the  verification  of  descriptions, 
and  to  the  many  collectors  and  compilers  of  local  lists,  who 
have  freely  placed  their  material  at  my  disposal. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  geographical  distribution  of  many 
animals  is  still  veiy  imperfect.  Quite  a  number  of  Southern 
and  Western  species,  here  excluded  as  extra-limited,  will  prob- 
ably yet  be  found  within  the  region  included  in  this  work. 

Additions  and  corrections  of  every  character  are  earnestly 
solicited  from  naturalists  and  teachers. 

D.  S.  J. 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND.,  May,  1876. 


SIGNS,  ABBREVIATIONS,  ETC.,  EXPLAINED. 


I.  —  MAMMALS. 
»'.=  Incisor  teeth. 
c.—  Canines. 


m,.—  Molars. 

Thus  "  i.  flf  "  indicates  two  incisor  teeth  on  each  side  in  the 
upper  jaw,  and  one  on  each  side  in  the  lower. 

"  Toes  5-4  "  implies  fore  feet  five-toed,  hind  feet  four-toed. 

Other  signs  are  as  used  in  Birds. 

II.—  BIRDS. 

i.—  Length  in  inches  (along  back  from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of 
longest  tail  feather)  ;  thus,  "L.  7i  "  means,  length  7£  inches. 
^.^Extent  (spread  of  wing)  measured  in  inches. 

W.—  Length  of  wing  (from  bend  of  closed  wing  —  carpal  joint  — 

to  tip  of  longest  feather)  in  inches. 
T.=  Length  of  tail  in  inches  (i.e.,  actual  length  of  the  longest  tail 

feather.) 
B.=  Length  of  bill  in  inches  (measured  along  culmen  from  tip  to 

frontal  feathers.) 
.ZZ#.=Length  of  head  in  inches  (measured  with  dividers  from 

base  of  bill  to  nape.) 

Ts.=  Length  of  tarsus  in  inches  (measured  in  front.) 
Tcl.=  Length  of  middle  toe  with  its  claw. 

The  measurements  given  in  the  descriptions  are  understood  to 
represent  a  fair  average  adult  male;  a  variation  of  one-sixth,  or 
more,  in  absolute  length  is  nothing  unusual  ;  relative  lengths,  as  of 
wings  and  tail,  are  much  more  constant.  To  save  space  I  have 
preferred  to  say  "L.  6,"  to  saying  "L..5i  to  6i." 


$=  Female. 


6  ^  BIGKS,  ;  ABBREVIATIONS,   ETC. 

>  liMprfc  trails  longer  .than,  -or  more  than  equivalent  to. 
<  =2  Bess  tlian/in  ite-vafifeus1 'senses. 
=  =Sign  of  equivalence. 

The  toes  are  numbered  1,2,3,4;  1  being  the  hind  toe,  or 
hallux;  2  the  inner  anterior  toe;  3  the  middle  toe;  and  4  the 
outer  toe. 

III. — KEPTILES. 
L.= Length  in  inches. 
Sc.  or  Scales= Number  of  longitudinal  rows  of  scales  exclusive 

of  the  ventral  series. 
G. = Number  of  ventral  plates,  or  gastrosteges,  counted  along  the 

belly,  from  the  throat  to  the  vent.    The  figures  given  in  the 

descriptions  are  intended  to  be  average,  the  actual  number 

being  quite  variable. 
Z7".=Number  of  pairs  of  sub-caudal  plates,  or  urosteges,  counted 

from  the  vent  to  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

IV. — FISHES. 
£.= Dorsal  fin. 
2d  D.= Second  dorsal  fin. 
P. = Pectoral  fins. 
V.= Ventral  fins. 
.4.= Anal  fin. 
C.= Caudal  fin. 
B. =Branchiostegals. 

Roman  numerals  used  with  the  above  abbreviations  indicate 
the  number  of  spines  or  inarticulate  rays  in  a  fin.  Arabic  numer- 
als indicate  the  number  of  soft  rays.  In  a  fin  containing  both 
spines  and  soft  rays,  a  comma  ( , )  separating  the  numerals  indicates 
that  the  two  kinds  of  rays  are  continuous,  or  more  or  less 
connected.  A  dash  ( — )  indicates  their  separation.  Thus,  "  D,  X, 
12,"  describes  a  single  dorsal  fin  with  10  spines  and  12  soft  rays ; 
"D,  X  — 12,"  indicates  two  dorsal  fins — the  first  of  10  spines,  the 
second  of  12  soft  rays;  "D,  X  — I,  12,"  would  indicate  the 
presence  of  a  single  spine  in  the  second  dorsal. 

The  posterior  soft  ray  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  is  usually 
split  to  the  base.  It  should  be  counted  as  one  ray  and  not  as  two. 


SIGNS,  ABBREVIATIONS,   ETC.  7 

Lat.  Z.=Lateral  line,  i.e.,  the  number  of  scales  contained  in  its 
course.    When  the  lateral  line  is  obsolete,  "  lat.  1."  signifies 
the  number  of  scales  in  a  row  from  the  head  to  the  base  of 
the  caudal  fin.    Thus,  "lat.  1.  36"  means  that  there  are  36 
scales  in  a  row  along  the  sides  from  the  head  to  the  caudal. 
In  all  cases  the  number  of  rays  or  scales,  as  given  in  the 
descriptions,  is  intended  to  represent  a  fair  average,  and  a  vari- 
ation of  one-sixth,  or'  even  more,  in  either  direction  need  not 
surprise  the  student.    Generally  the  spines  and  scales  are  more 
constant  in  their  numbers  than  the  soft  rays,  and  the  fewer  of 
either,  the  less  variable. 

Depth  in  length=The  greatest  depth  of  the  body  as  contained  in 

the  distance  along  the  side  from  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the 

caudal. 
Head  in  length=The  distance  from  the  snout  along  the  cheeks  to 

the  extremity  of  the  opercle,  as  contained  in  the  distance 

from  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the  caudal. 
Eye  in  head=Its  longitudinal  diameter  as  contained  in  the  length 

of  the  side  of  the  head. 

As  above  stated,  these  measurements,  as  given  in  the  descrip- 
tions, are  intended  to  be  the  average  of  living  adults,  and  must  be 
applied  to  young  specimens  or  preserved  ones  with  caution. 

Young  fishes  are  always  much  more  elongated  than  adults,  and 
the  eye  is  proportionally  much  larger. 

A  fin  is  said  to  be  " long"  when  it  has  a  long  base,  or  is  many- 
rayed.  A  "high"  fin  is  one  in  which  the  individual  rays  are 
elongated. 


PRINCIPAL  ABBREVIATIONS  OF  NAMES  OF  AUTHORS 
CITED  IN  THIS  VOLUME. 


Allen=3.  A.  Allen. 
Auct.=A.uctOTum  (of  Authors.) 


And.    &   Bach.  =  Audubon    & 
Bachman. 


B.  &  G.—  Baird  &  Girard. 
Bartr.  —  Bartram. 
Beauv.=Pa,Yi$ot  de  Beauvais. 
BL  &  Schn.  =Bloch  &  Schneider. 
j&>eM.—  Boddaert 
Bon.,  or  Bp.=C.  L.  Bonaparte. 
Brev.  =  Bre  voort. 


(7a&.=Cabanis. 
CVm.=Cassm. 
Coop.=  Cooper. 


C.  &   F.=Cuvier    and  Valen- 

ciennes. 
Daud.  =  Daudin. 


Desm.  =  Desmarest. 
Dum.  —  Dumdril. 


Gm.,  or 

Gray  (Birds)=G.  R.  Gray. 

Gray  (Mam,&  Kept.)  =J.  E.  ^Gray. 


Hald.  =  Haldeman. 


Lac.  =Lacepede. 
Lafr.  =  Lafresnaye. 
Lath.  =  Latham. 


Lawr.  =  Lawrence. 
ZeO'.=LeConte. 

Less.=  Lesson. 


Licht.  —  Lichtenstein. 
L.—  Linnaeus. 


Raf.  =  Rafinesque. 
Reich.  =  Reichenbach. 
Mich.  =  Ri  ch  ardson. 
Ridg.  =  Ridg  way. 


H.  Smith—  Hamilton  Smith. 

Steph.  =  Stephens. 


Strickl.  =  Strickland. 
Sund  .  —  Sundevall. 
Sw.  —  S  wainson. 
Temm.  =  Temminck. 
Towns.  —  Townsend. 
Veil.  —  Valenci  ennes. 
Vieill.,  or  F.=Vieillot. 
F^.^Vigors. 
Waal.— 


Wils.=  Wilson. 


*;,<*  Names  of  Authors  not  in  the  above  list  are  usually 
written  in  full. 


VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS 


OF  THE 


UNITED  STATES. 


VERTEBRATA. 

(The  Vertebrates.) 

The  Vertebrates  are,  in  popular  language,  "animals 
with  a  back-bone."  They  are  distinguished  from  all 
other  animals,  says  Prof.  Huxley,  "  by  the  circumstance 
that  a  transverse  and  vertical  section  of  the  body 
exhibits  two  cavities,  completely  separated  from  one 
another  by  a  partition.  The  dorsal  cavity  contains  the 
cerebro-spinal  nervous  system;  the  ventral,  the  alimen- 
tary canal,  the  heart,  and,  usually,  a  double  chain  of 
ganglia,  which  passes  under  the  name  of  the  'sympa- 
thetic.' A  vertebrated  animal  may  be  devoid  of 
articulated  limbs,  and  it  never  possesses  more  than  two 
pairs.  These  are  always  provided  with  an  internal 
skeleton,  to  which  the  muscles  moving  the  limbs  are 
attached." 

Without  further  discussion  of  this  great  group  of 
animals,  we  will  proceed  at  once  to  the  consideration  of 
the  classes.  Of  existing  vertebrates,  we  here  recognize 

9 


10  VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS. 


eight  classes.  These  are:  —  1.  MAMMALIA,  or  Mammals; 
2.  AVES,  or  Birds;  3.  REPTILIA,  or  Reptiles;  4.  BATKACHIA, 
or  Batrachians;  5.  PISCES,  or  True  Fishes;  6.  ELASMO- 
BRANCHII,  or  Selachians;  7.  MARSIPOBRANCHII,  or  Myzonts; 
8.  LEPTOCARDII,  or  Lancelets. 

Of  these  classes,  two,  Elasmobranchii  and  Leptocardii, 
are  represented  by  marine  forms  only,  and  do  not, 
therefore,  come  within  the  scope  of  this  treatise. 

The  relations  of  the  classes  of  Vertebrates  may  be 
recognized  by  the  following  analysis,  taken,  in  part, 
from  Prof.  Gill's  "Arrangement  of  the  Families  of 
Fishes."  Only  the  most  obvious  characters  are  here 
referred  to,  although  others,  less  striking,  are  often  of 
greater  taxonomic  value. 

CLASSES  OF  VERTEBRATES. 

*  Respiration  never  performed  after  birth  by  means  of  branchiae. 

f  Exoskeleton  developed  as  hair  (rarely  obsolete) ;  warm  blood ; 

heart  with  four  cavities ;  diaphragm  complete ;  two  occipital 

condyles ;  viviparous ;  young  developed  from  a  minute  egg, 

and  nourished  for  a  time  by  milk  secreted  in  the  mammary 

glands  of  the  mother.          ....        MAMMALIA. 

f  f  Exoskeleton  developed  as  feathers ;  warm  blood ;  heart  with 

four  cavities;   diaphragm  incomplete;   a  single  occipital 

condyle ;  viviparous ;  young  hatched  from  a  comparatively 

large  egg ;  no  mammary  glands.    ....        AVES. 

f  f  f  Exoskeleton  developed  as  scales,  or  bony  plates ;  cold  blood ; 

heart  with  three  cavities  (four  in  Crocodilia);    a  single 

occipital  condyle ;  viviparous  (or  rarely  ovoviparous) ;  young 

hatched  from  a  rather  large  egg.        .        .        .     REPTILIA. 

**  Respiration  performed  by  gills  for  a  part,  or  the  whole,  of  life  ;" 

cold  blood. 

$  Skull  more  or  less  developed,  with  the  notochord  not  continued 
forwards  beyond  the  pituitary  body ;  brain  differentiated 
and  distinctly  developed;  heart  developed  and  divided 
into  at  least  an  auricle  and  ventricle. 


VEBTEBEATA.  11 

a.  Skull  well  developed  and  with  a  lower  jaw;  nostrils  paired. 
b.  ]STo  median  rayed  fins ;  limbs  not  developed  as  rayed 
fins,  but,  if  present,  having  the  same  skeletal  elements 
as  in  the  higher  vertebrates;  skin  usually  naked; 
respiration  in  the  adult  chiefly,  or  entirely,  accom- 
plished by  means  of  lungs,  the  branchiae  rarely 

persistent BATRACHIA. 

bb.  Rayed  fins  present  on  median  line  of  the  body ;  limbs 
developed  as  rayed  fins ;  at  least  one  pair  being  always 
present ;  respiration  by  means  of  branchiae  throughout 
life ;  lungs  not  developed. 

c.  Membrane  bones  (operculum,  etc.)  developed  in  con- 
nection with  the  skull;  gills  free;  the  branchial 
openings  a  single  slit  on  each  side;  exoskeleton 
usually  of  scales,  or  plates,  never  placoid;  eggs 

small  and  numerous PISCES. 

cc.  Skull  without  membrane  bones ;   gills  not  free ;  the 
branchial   openings    slit-like,    usually  several    in 
number;  exoskeleton  placoid,  never  of  scales,  but 
usually  composed  of  calcified  papillae  of  various 
styles ;  eggs  few  and  large.      .     ELASMOBRANCHII. 
aa.  Skull  imperfectly  developed  and  with  no  lower  jaw; 
a  single  median  nostril ;  paired  fins  undeveloped,  with 
no  shoulder  girdle  nor  pelvic  elements;    gills  purse- 
shaped  ;  skin  naked.         .         .         MARSIPOBRANCHII. 
ft  Skull  undeveloped,  with  the  notochord  persistent  and  extend- 
ing to  the  anterior  end  of  the  head ;  brain  not  distinctly 
differentiated ;  heart  none,  LE?TOCABDII. 


12  MAMMALS. 


.—  jaantmalia. 


(The  Mammals.) 

A  Mammal  is  a  warm-blooded,  air-breathing  vertebrate, 
having  the  skin  more  or  less  covered  with  hair;  vivipar- 
ous; embryo  developed  from  a  minute  egg,  and  provided 
with  an  amnion  and  allantois;  young  nourished  for  a 
time  after  birth  by  milk,  secreted  in  the  mammary 
glands  of  the  mother;  respiration  never  by  branchiae, 
but  after  birth  by  lungs,  suspended  freely  in  the  thoracic 
cavity,  which  is  completely  separated  from  the  abdominal 
cavity  by  a  muscular  septum  (the  diaphragm);  heart 
with  four  cavities;  a  complete  double  circulation.  The 
peculiarities  of  the  skeleton  are  too  numerous  to  be 
noticed  in  this  connection. 

The  following  key  to  the  Orders  and  Families  of 
Mammals  which  occur  within  our  limits  (omitting  the 
Seals  and  the  Cetaceans,  all  our  members  of  which 
groups  are  marine),  is  mostly  taken  from  Prof.  Gill's 
"Arrangement  of  the  Families  of  Mammals."  It  has 
been  thought  best  not  to  give  here  any  separate  account 
of  the  different  orders,  as,  in  the  abundance  of  literature 
on  that  subject,  it  seems  unnecessary. 

ORDERS  OF  MAMMALIA. 

*  Young  not  born  until  of  considerable  size  and  nearly  perfect 
development,  deriving  its  nourishment,  before  birth,  from 
the  mother  through  the  intervention  of  a  placenta  ;  a  well 
developed  corpus  callosum.  (MONODELPHIA.) 

f  Brain  with  a  relatively  large  cerebrum,  overlapping  much,  or 
all,  of  the  cerebellum  and  olfactory  lobes.    (EDUCABILIA.) 


MAMMALS.  13 

t  Anterior  and  posterior  limbs  and  pelvis  well  developed ; 
femur  and  liumerus  not  exserted  beyond  the  common 
integuments  of  the  body. 

a.  Feet  with  developed  claws ;  canines  specialized ;  molars, 

one  or  more,  sectorial,  adapted  for  cutting ;  incisors 

•f ;  chiefly  carnivorous.         .         .         CARNIVORA,  A. 

aa.  Feet  with  hoofs ;  molars  mostly  with  grinding  surfaces ; 

incisors  various;  no  tusks;  developed  toes,  four  or 

fewer ;  chiefly  herbivorous.        .        .      UNGULATA,  B. 

ff  Brain  with  a  relatively  small  cerebrum,  leaving  behind  much 

of  the  cerebellum  exposed,  and,  in  front,  much  of  the 

olfactory  lobes.    (!NEDUCABILIA.) 

&.  Canine  teeth  present,  in  some  form ;  incisors  not  f  nor  f. 
c.  Anterior  limbs  adapted  for  flight ;  ulna  and  radius 
united;   bones  of  hand  and  fingers  much  elon- 
gated, supporting  a  thin,  leathery  skin,  extending 
along    sides    of  body  to    the    posterior    limbs; 
mammae  pectoral.         .         .         CHIROPTERA,  C. 
cc.  Limbs  all  adapted  for  walking;  .ulna  and  radius  not 
united;  hand  normal;  mammae  usually  abdomi- 
nal INSECTIVORA,  D. 

Vb.  No  canine  teeth ;  incisors  f ,  rarely  f,  chisel  shaped ; 
limbs  adapted  for  walking.          .          RODENTIA,  E. 

**  Young  born  when  of  very  small  size  and  incomplete  develop- 
ment, never  connected  by  a  placenta  to  the  mother ;  corpus 
callosurn  rudimentary.  (DIDELPHIA.)  .  MARSUPIALIA,  F. 

A.    FAMILIES  OF  CARNIVORA. 

*  Intestinal  canal  provided  with  a  ccecum ;  feet  digitigrade ;  toes 

5-4. 
f  Teeth   28  to  30;    head   broad;   snout    short;   claws    sharp, 

retractile FELID.E,  1. 

ff  Teeth    38    to  46;    snout  elongated;    claws  bluntish,    non- 
retractile CANID^,  2. 

**  Intestinal  canal  without  a  ccecum ;  feet  plantigrade,  or,  if  not, 
toes  5-5. 


14  MAMMALS. 

\  Teeth  less  than  40 ;  body  rather  slender ;  feet  often  more  or 
less  perfectly  digitigrade.        .        .        .        MUSTELID^,  3. 
\\  Teeth  40  or  42;  body  stout;  feet  completely  plantigrade, 
a. Tail  rudimentary;   teeth  42;    lower  jaw  with  three  true 
molars ;  body  very  large  and  heavy.         .        URSID.E,  4. 
CM.  Tail  well  developed;  teeth  40;  lower  jaw  slender,  with 
two  true  molars ;  body  moderately  stout. 

PROCYONIIXE,  5. 

B.    FAMILIES  OF  UNGULATA. 

*  Toes  paired  (artiodactylous) ;  horns  solid,  deciduous ;  teeth  34 

or  32.  CEKVIILE,  6. 

C.    FAMILIES  OF  CHIROPTERA. 

*  Snout  not  appendaged ;  tail  inclosed  in  the  membrane,  or  only 

the  last  joint  exserted.        .        .        .     VESPERTILIONID^B,  7. 


D.    FAMILIES  OF  INSECTIVORA. 

*  No   external   ear;   fore   feet   greatly   enlarged  —  adapted   for 
digging  ;  limbs  very  short.          .         .         .         TALPIDJS,  8. 
**  An  external  ear  ;  feet  normal  ;  hind  feet  usually  longest. 


E.    FAMILIES  OF  RODENTIA. 

*  Incisors  f  ;  tail  well  developed. 
f  Hair  forming  a  fur,  without  spines. 

a.  Tail  broad,  flat  and  scaly;    feet   webbed;    molars  f'f  ; 

body  stout  and  heavy.        .        .        .        CASTORID^E,  11. 

aa.  Limbs  very  short,  about  equal  ;  fore  claws  much  enlarged  ; 

large  external  cheek  pouches  ;  body  thick-set  and  heavy  ; 

molars  f  !|.        .....        GEOMYHXE,  12. 

aaa.  Tail  and   hind   legs  excessively  elongated,  the  latter 
adapted  for  leaping  ;  molars  f  !f  •        .       ZAPODIIXE,  13. 
aaaa.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations. 


FELID^.— I.  15 

6.  Molars  J-lf-  or  flj- ;    no  foramen  (as  in  the  next);  tail 

usually  long  and  hairy ;  (squirrels,  etc.)  SCIURID^,  10. 

5&.  Molars  f  if  to  |vf ;  zygomatic  process  of  upper  jaw  with 

a  foramen ;  (rats  and  mice).        .        .       MURDXE,  14. 

ft  Fur  with  stiff  spine-like  bristles ;    toes   with  long,  curved 

claws SPALACOPODIDJB,  15. 

**  Incisors  f ;  the  middle  upper  incisors  large,  grooved,  the  outer 
ones  small ;  teeth  28 ;  tail  very  short ;  ears  long. 

LEPORIIXE,  16. 

F.    FAMILIES  OF  MARSUPIALIA. 

*  Tail  long,  prehensile,  nearly  naked ;  feet  plantigrade ;  incisors 
f  :f ;  teeth  50 DIDELPHIDHXE,  17 


OEDEB  A.-OAENIYOEA. 

(The  Flesh-Eaters  or  Ferae.) 

FAMILY   I.  — FELID^E. 

(The  Cats.) 

Digitigrade  Carnivora  with  the  toes  5-4;  claws  com- 
jpressed,  very  sharp,  retractile;  palms  and  soles  hairy, 
with  naked  pads  under  each  toe  and  the  b  all  of  the  foot. 
Body  compact;  head  short,  broad  and  rounded.  Dentition 
i.  |;f ;  c.  £-}•;  pm.  f  ;f  or  |:|;  m.  f  |=30  or  28;  canine  teeth 
long  and  sharp;  teeth  all  strongly  trenchant;  tongue  with 
short,  retrorse  papillae.  General  aspect  cat-like.  A  well- 
known  group  comprising  about  fifty  species,  found  in  all 
parts  of  the  world  excepting  Australia  and  its  islands. 

*  Prernolars  f  ."f ,  anterior  upper  one  very  small ;  tail  at  least  half 
as  long  as  the  body  (exclusive  of  head  and  neck) ;  fur  compact 
and  glossy ;  ears  not  tufted.  .  .  .  .  FELIS,  1. 

**  Prernolars  f'f,  (anterior  upper  one  wanting);  tail  less  than 
half  length  of  body  proper ;  ears  triangular,  tufted.  LYNX,  2. 


16  MAMMALS. 


/.  FELIS,  Linnaeus.     CATS. 

1.  F.  concolor,  L.  AMERICAN  PANTHER.  COUGAE. 
PUMA.  Above  tawny  brownish  yellow;  a  wash  of  dark- 
er along  dorsal  line;  dirty  white  below;  large;  body  4£ 
feet  long.  Whole  continent  of  America,  N.  to  lat.  50° 
to  60°. 

2.  LYNX,  Rafiriesque.     WILD  CATS. 

1.  L  canadensis,  (Desm.)  Raf.    CANADA  LYNX.     Feet 
very  large,  densely  furred  beneath  in  winter,  concealing 
the  small,  naked  patches;  tail  black  at  tip;  no  distinct 
bars  on  inner  side  of  legs;  much  larger  than  the  next, 
with  larger  feet  and  longer  fur.     N.  A. 

2.  L  rufus,  ( Guldenstadt. )    Raf.     AMERICAN   WILD 
CAT.     Inner  sides  of  legs  with  dark  cross  bands;    tail 
with  a  black  patch  at  end  above,  preceded  by  half  rings. 
U.  S.  and  northward. 


FAMILY  II.— CANID^E. 

(The  Dogs.) 

Digitigrade  Carnivora  with  blunt,  non- retractile  claws; 
toes  5-4.  Muzzle  more  or  less  elongated.  Dentition  typi- 
cally i.  -|:-|;  c.  -J-'.-J-;  pm.  J:|;  m.  $.-$=42;  canines  large, 
rather  blunt.  Both  hemispheres. 

*  Tail  comparatively  short ;  upper  incisors  distinctly  lobed ;  pupil 

circular.         , CANIS,  1 

**  Tail  comparatively  long  and  bushy;  upper  incisors  scarcely 

lobed;  pupil  elliptical;  body  more  slender, 
f  Tail  with  soft  fur  and  long  hair ;  muzzle  long.    .    VULPES,  2. 
ft  Tail  with  a  concealed  mane  of  stiff  hairs,  and  without  soft 
fur;  muzzle  shorter UROCTON,  3. 


MUSTELID^E. — III.  IT 

/.  CANIS,  Linnaeus.     WOLVES. 

1.  C.  lupus,  L.  WOLF.  Color  exceedingly  variable; 
northward  it  is  chiefly  gray,  southward  more  and  more 
blackish  and  reddish,  till  in  Florida  black  wolves  pre- 
dominate, and  in  Texas  red  ones.  N.  A.  and  northern 
parts  of  the  Old  World.  (C.  occidentalis,  Auct.) 

2.  VULPES,  Brisson.     FOXES. 

1.  /.  vulgaris,  Fleming.  RED  Fox.  CROSS  Fox.  SILVER 
Fox.  BLACK  Fox.  Chiefly  red,  with  black  feet  and  ears; 
tip  of  tail  white.  A  single  species,  widely  variable*  in 
color,  as  indicated  by  the  common  names.  N.  Am. 
Europe  (V.fulvus,  Auct.) 

3.  U ROC  YON,  Baird.     GRAY  FOXES. 

1.  U.  virginianus,  (Erxleben.)  GRAY  Fox.  Chiefly 
gray;  fur  dusky  or  fulvous,  hairs  hoary  at  tip;  tip  of  tail 
usually  dark.  Penn.  S.,  W.  to  the  Pacific. 

FAMILY  III.— MUSTELm/E. 

(The  Weasels.) 

Carnivora  either  plantigrade  or  digitigrade,  with  the 
toes  5-5.     Molars  J:|-  (  rarely  \:\  );  the  upper  and  the  last 
lower  one  tubercular;  no  ccecum.    Most  species  provided 
with  glands  near  the  anus  which  secrete  a  fetid  liquid. 
Some  are  strictly  carnivorous  while  others  are  rather  om- 
nivorous.   Size  usually  medium  or  small.    They  are  found 
in  all  parts  of  the  earth  excepting  the  Australian  region. 
*  Last  or  true  molar  of  upper  jaw  short,  small,  transversely  elon- 
gated; toes  short;  claws  retractile.    (MUSTELINE.) 
f  Teeth  38 ;  body  slender ;  feet  digitigrade ;  tail  rather  long ;  low- 
er first  molar  with  an  internal  tubercle,      .       MUSTELA,  1. 


18  MAMMALS. 

ft  Teeth  34 ;  body  slender ;  feet  digitigrade ;  tail  usually  long ; 

sectorial  tooth  without  internal  tubercle.     .        PUTORIUS,  2. 

fft  Teeth  38 ;  body  stout ;  feet  sub-plantigrade ;  tail  as  long  as 

head,  very  full  and  bushy GULO,  3. 

**  True  molar  of  upper  jaw  very  large,  sub-triangular,  tubercu- 
lar; fore  claws  much  lengthened,  for  digging.     (MELIN.E.) 
a.  Body  short  and  stout ;  tail  very  short ;  teeth  32.    TAXIDEA,  4. 
***  True  molar  of  upper  jaw  quadrangular,  wide,  very  large,  with 
an  outer   cutting  ridge;    claws    non-retractile,  fore  claws 
lengthened,  fossorial.     (  MEPHITTNJS.) 
&.  Snout  pointed ;  colors  black  and  white ;  fetid  glands  highly 

developed ;  teeth  34 MEPHITIS,  5. 

****  True  molar  large,  quadrate ;  teeth  36 ;   body  elongated ;  toes 
palmate,  adapted  for  swimming.    (  LUTRIN^E.)    LUTKA,  6. 

/.  MUSTELA,  Linnseus.     MARTENS. 

1.  M.  martes,  L.     SABLE.      PINE    MARTEN.      Chiefly 
reddish    yellow,    clouded    with    black ;    legs    and   tail, 
blackish;  length  less  than  two  feet.     Maine  to  Oregon, 
and  northward;   also   in   Old   World.     (M.   americana, 
Turton.) 

2.  M.  pennantii,  Erxleben.  FISHER.  BLACK  CAT.  Color, 
variable ;  belly,  legs,  tail,  and  hind  parts  chiefly  black; 
length  more  than  two  feet.     Northern  N.  A. 

2.  PUTORIUS,  Cuvier.     WEASELS. 

1.  P.  vulgaris,  Cuvier.  LEAST  WEASEL.    Liver-brown, 
white   beneath ;    usually   white    in    winter ;   tail    never 
really  black  at  tip  ;  body  6   to  7  inches  long.     N.  U.  S. 
and  northward,  also  Old  World. 

2.  P.  ermineus,  Cuvier.    COMMON  WEASEL.     ERMINE. 
Colors    various  ;    tip  of   tail    usually  black  ;    white    in 
winter,     northward.     Length  of  body   8   to  11  inches, 


.  —  iv.  19 


N.  Am.  and  Old  World,  abundant.    (P.  noveboracensis, 
cicognanii)  etc.,  of  authors.) 

3.  P.  lutreolus,  Cuvier.  COMMON  MINK.  Brownish 
chestnut  ;  tail  black  or  nearly  so  ;  length  of  body  15 
to  20  inches.  N.  A.  and  Old  World.  (P.  mson,  Gapper.) 

•  3.  GULO,  Storr.     WOLVERINES. 

1.  G.  luscus,  (L.)  Sabine.  WOLVERINE.  Dark  brown  ; 
legs  and  beneath  black.  N.  U.  S.  and  N. 

4.  TAXIDEA,  Waterhouse.     BADGERS. 

1.  T.  americana,  (Bodd.)  Baird.  AMERICAN  BADGER. 
Chiefly  grayish.  Wisconsin,  N.  and  W. 

5.  MEPHITIS,  Cuvier.     SKUNKS. 

1.  M.  mephiiica,  (Shaw)  Baird.  COMMON  SKUNK. 
Usually  black  with  tip  of  tail,  dorsal  stripes  and  nuchal 
patch  white;  sometimes  all  black  or  even  nearly  all 
white.  Mexico  to  Arctic  regions*,  an  abundant  and  fa- 
miliar species.  (  M.  chinga,  Tiedemann.) 

6.  LUTRA,  Linnaeus.     OTTERS. 

1.  L.  canadensis,  Sabine.  AMERICAN  OTTER.  Liver- 
brown;  length  4£  feet.  U.  S. 

FAMILY  IV.—  URSID^E. 

(  The  Bears.  ) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  having  the  body  thick  and 
clumsy.  Tail  rudimentary.  Teeth  42  ;  molars  broad  and 
tuberculated,  according  with  the  omnivorous  diet.  Species 
few  and  widely  distributed,  —  in  North  America,  there  are 
probably  but  two,  although  many  have  been  described; 
these  are,  as  has  been  shown  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  the 


20  MAMMALS. 

Polar  Bear  ( U.  maritimus),  and  the  following  which  is  the 
common  Bear  of  the  Old  World. 

/.  URSUS,  Linnaeus.     BEARS. 

1.  U.  arcfoSf  L.  BROWN,  BLACK,  CINNAMON  AND 
GRIZZLY  BEAR.  Color,  size,  etc.,  exceedingly  variable, 
but  the  several  forms  or  varieties  intergrade  perfectly. 
N.  Am.  and  Europe.  (U.  americanw,  Pallas.  U.  horri- 
biliSy  Ord.) 

FAMILY  V.— PROCYONID.E. 

(TJie  Raccoons.) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  of  moderate  size,  with  the  body 
comparatively  slender  and  the  tail  well  developed.  Teeth 
40.  Snout  more  or  less  elongated;  no  coecum.  Genera 
two, — Nasua^  the  Coatimundi  of  Mexico,  and  the  follow- 
ing, all  American. 

/.  PROCYON,  Storr.     RACCOON. 

1.  P.  lotor,  (L.)  Storr.  COMMON  RACCOON.  "  COON." 
Grayish  white;  hairs  black-tipped;  tail  with  black  rings. 
U.  S.;  abundant. 


OEDEE  B.-IJ]SrGULATA. 

(The  Hoofed  Mammals). 

FAMILY  VI.  — CERVID^E. 

(The  Deer). 

Horns  deciduous,  solid,  developed  from  the  frontal 
bone,  more  or  less  branched,  covered  at  first  by  a  soft, 
hairy  integument,  known  as  "velvet";  when  the  horns 
attain  their  full  size,  which  they  do  in  a  very  short  time, 
there  arises  at  the  base  of  each  a  ring  of  tubercles  known 
as  the  "burr;  "  this  compresses  and  finally  obliterates  the 


CEEYIB^E. — VI.  21 

blood-vessels  supplying  the  velvet,  which  dries  up  and  is 
stripped  off,  leaving  the  bone  hard  and  insensible;  the 
horns  or  "  antlers  "  are  shed  annually,  the  separation  of 
the  "beam"  from  its  "pedicel"  taking  place  just  below 
the  burr  ;  the  antlers  are  wanting  in  the  female  (except- 
ing in  the  Reindeer)  but  they  are  usually  present  in 
the  male.  Herbivorous;  stomach  in  four  divisions,  of 
the  ordinary  ruminant  pattern.  Dental  formula,  i.  f:f ; 
c.  (usually)  -J;-J;  pm.  |:|;  m.  |;|.  A  widelv  distributed 
family. 

*  Horns  (in  males  only)  very  broadly  palmated  to  the  tip ;  nose 
very  broad,  entirely  hairy  except  a  small  naked  spot  between 

nostrils.         .  ALCE,  1. 

**  Horns  (in  both  sexes)  broadly  palmated  at  tip ;  nose  entirely 

hairy. RANGIFEB,  2. 

***  Horns  (in  males  only)  rounded  more  or  less ;  rarely  sub-pal- 
mated  ;  nose  naked  and  moist. 

f  Horns  large,  curving  backward,  with  the  snags  all  directed 
forward,  one  of  them  immediately  above  the  burr;  tail  very 
short ;  hoofs  broad  and  rounded ;  size  very  large. 

CERVUS,  3. 

ff  Horns  smaller,  curving  forward,  the  first  snag  short,  at  some 
distance  above  the  base,  and  like  the  others  curving 
upward;  tail  rather  long;  hoofs  rather  elongate;  size 
smaller CABiACUS,4. 

/.  ALCE,  Hamilton  Smith.     ELKS. 
1.  M.  amer/canus,  Jardine.     MOOSE.    AMERICAN  ELK. 
Largest  of  our  Cervidce,   reaching  the  size  of  a  horse. 
Maine  and  N.  N.  Y.  to  Oregon  and  N. 

2.  RANGIFER,  Hamilton  Smith.     REINDEER. 

1.  R.  caribou,  Aud.  &  Bach.  WOODLAND  CARIBOU. 
REINDEER.  Maine  to  Hudson's  Bay  and  Lake  Superior; 
perhaps  the  same  as  the  Reindeer  of  Europe.  (R. 
tarandus.) 


• 


22  MAMMALS. 

3.  CERVUS,  Linnaeus.     DEER. 

1.  C.  canadensis,  Erxleben.  "AMERICAN  ELK." 
WAPITI.  Chestnut  red,  grayish  in  winter;  size  nearly 
equal  to  that  of  the  Moose.  Alleghany  region  of  Penn. 
and  Va.,  Wis.  (near  Green  Bay,  Van  Vleck^)  Yellow- 
stone region  and  "W. 

4.  CARIACUS,  Gray.     RED  DEER. 

1.  C.  virginianus,  (Bodd.)  Gray.  VIRGINIA  DEER.  RED 
DEER.  General  color  chestnut  red,  grayish  in  winter. 
Maine  to  Rocky  Mountains  and  S.,  abundant  in  many  re- 
gions. 

ORDER  C.-CHIROPTERA. 

(The  Bats.} 

FAMILY  VII.  — VESPERTILIONID^E. 

(TJie  Ordinary  Bats.} 

Insectivorous  Bats  with  the  snout  not  appendaged,  or 
merely  with  two  lateral  excrescences.  Wing  membranes 
ample.  Tail  completely  enclosed  in  the  interfemoral 
membrane  or  only  the  last  joint  exserted. 

*  Cheeks  without  excrescences ;  ears  moderate. 

f  Incisors  §!§ •  VESPERTILIO,  1. 

ft  Incisors  jij. ATAIAPHA,  2. 

**  Cheeks  with  two  large  excrescences ;  ears  excessively  large, 
an  inch  high ;  teeth  36 ;  i.  -g-I-f.        .        .      CORYNORHLNTJS,  3. 

/.   VESPERTILIO,  Linna3us.     TYPICAL  BATS. 
>  Scotophilus,  Leach. 

*  Teeth  38;  molars  J.-J-;  species  with  thin  wings  and  ears.     (Ves- 

pertilio} 
1.  /.  subulatus,   Say.      LITTLE   BROWN    BAT.      Face 


VESPERTILIONID^E. — VII.  23 

small,  fox-like,  with  high  forehead  and  pointed  snout; 
ears  large,  oval,  twice  the  height  of  the  erect  tragus; 
wings  naked;  interfemoral  membrane  naked  except  at 
base,  face  whiskered;  color  dull  olive-brown.  L.  3;  E. 
9;  T.  1|-.  N.  Am.;  abundant  every  where.  A  small  and 
very  variable  species.  (  V.  lucifugus,  Le  C.) 
**  Teeth  36;  molars  |:f.  (Vesperides.) 

2.  /.  noctivagans,  LeC.     SILVER  BLACK  BAT.     Tragus 
almost  as  broad  as  high,  scarcely  one-third  height  of  ear; 
femoral  membrane  entirely  though  scantily  furred;  fur 
long  and  silky,  black,  usually  with  silvery  tips  to  the 
hairs.     L.  3i;  E.  12;  T.  1|.     U.  S.  generally. 

***  Teeth  34;  molars  -f'f ;  stouter  species,  with  thicker  wings  and 
more  leathery  ears.     (Vesperugo.) 

3.  V.  georgianus,  F.  Cuvier.     GEORGIA  BAT.     Tragus 
slender,  erect,  half  the  height  of  the  auricle;  upper  in- 
cisors about  equal  in  size;  femoral   membrane  one-third 
furred;    dark  reddish  brown,  brighter   forwards.     L.  3; 
E.  9;  T.  1^-.     Maine  to  Texas;  chiefly  southward. 

****  Teeth  32;  molars  f:f;  stout  species.     (Vesperus.) 

4.  /.  fuscus,  Beauv.     CAROLINA  BAT.     DUSKY  BAT. 
Tragus  never  pointed,  nearly  half  as  high  as  auricle; 

wings  naked;  interfemoral  membrane  furred  at  base; 
ears  more  or  less  turned  outward;  upper  lateral  incisors 
small,  scarcely  visible.  L.  3  to  4;  E.  12;  T.  1£.  U.  S.; 
a  widely  diffused  species.  ( V.  carolinensis,  Geoff.  St. 
Hilaire.) 

2.  ATALAPHA,  Rafinesque.     RED  BATS. 

*  Teeth  30 ;  molars  £$ ;  upper  incisors  small ;  wings  naked  and 
interfemoral  membranes  nearly  so.    (Nycticejus.) 

1.  A.  crepuscularis,  (Le  C.)  Coues.     TWILIGHT   BAT. 
Ears   small,  wide  apart;    a  small  wart  above  eye;    fur 


24  MAMMALS. 

rather  scanty;  dark  fawn  color  above,  passing  into 
brownish  below;  L.  3£;  E.  9;  T.  1^-.  Perm,  to  Mo.,  and 
S.W. 

**  Teeth  32 ;  molars  -f  if ;  upper  incisors  stout ;  interfemoral  mem- 
brane hairy  above,  and  wings  with  furry  patches  (Lasiurus.) 

2.  A.  noveboracensis,  (Erxl.)  Coues.     RED  BAT.     Fur 
long  and  silky,  reddish  brown,  mostly  white  at  tip;  lips 
and  ears  not  edged  with  black;    a  whitish  tuft  at  base 
of  thumb;    L.  3|;    E.   12;    T.   If.     U.  S.,  every  where. 
An  abundant  species,  readily  known  by  its  reddish  color. 

3.  A.  cinereus,  (Beauv.)   Coues.     HOARY  BAT.     Rich 
chocolate  -  brown,   overlaid   with    white;    lips   and   ears 
marked  with  black;    L.  5;   E.  14;  T.  2%.     U.  S.,  rather 
northward,  rare.     ( V.  pruinosus,  Say.) 

3.  CORYNORHINUS,  Harrison  Allen.    BIG-EARED  BATS. 

1.  C.  macrotis,  (Le  C.)  H.  Allen.  BIG-EARED  BAT. 
Blackish,  fur  soft  and  long;  L.  3£;  E.  11;  T.  If.  Va.  to 
Missouri  region  and  S. 


OEDEE  D.-HTSECTIVOEA. 

(The  Insect  Eaters.) 

FAMILY  VIII.— TALPIDJE. 

(The  Moles.) 

Body  stout,  thick,  and  clumsy,  without  visible  neck. 
Eyes  rudimentary,  sometimes  concealed.  No  external 
ears.  Limbs  very  short;  feet  greatly  expanded  and 
provided  with  strong  claws,  adapted  for  digging;  anterior 
limbs  much  larger  than  posterior.  Scapula  as  long  as 
humerus  and  radius  together.  Canines  usually  present. 


SORICID^. — IX.  25 

Fur  compact,  soft  and  velvety.     Found  on  both  conti- 
nents. 
*  Nose  elongated,  not  fringed;   nostrils  superior  or  lateral;  tail 

short, 
f  Teeth  36 ;  nostrils  partly  superior ;  tail  nearly  naked. 

SCALOPS,  1. 

ff  Teeth  44 ;  nostrils  lateral ;  tail  densely  hairy.      SCAPANUS,  2. 

**  Nose,  elongated,  fringed  at  end  with  a  circle  of  long  fleshy 

projections;  nostrils  terminal;  tail  nearly  as  long  as  body; 

teeth  44 CONDYLURA,  3. 

/.  SCALOPS,  Cuvier.     SHREW  MOLES. 

1.  5.  aquaticus,  (L.)  Fischer.     COMMON  MOLE.     Dark 
plumbeous,  paler  below;    feet    full  webbed;    eyes   not 
covered  by  skin.    E.  U.  S.;  an  abundant  and  well  known 
species. 

2.  S.    argentatuSf    Aud.    &    Bach.      PRAIRIE    MOLE. 
Silvery  plumbeous;  said  to  be  larger  and  more  silvery 
than  the  preceding.     Ohio  and  W.,  chiefly  in  the  prairie 
region. 

2.  SCAPANUS,  Pomel.     HAIRY -TAILED  MOLES. 
1.  S.  breweri,  (Bach.)  Pomel.     HAIRY -TAILED  MOLE. 
Dark  plumbeous,  with  brown  gloss.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  CONDYLURA,  Illiger.     STAR-NOSED  MOLES. 
1.  C.    cr/'stata,    (L.)    Desmarest.     STAR-NOSED   MOLE. 
Blackish.    U.  S.,  chiefly  northerly,  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific. 

FAMILY  IX.— SORICID^E. 

(The  Shrews.) 

Mouse-like  Insectivora,  with  the  eyes  and  external 
ears  distinctly  developed.  Muzzle  elongated.  Feet 
normal,  not  fossorial;  the  fore-feet  mostly  smaller  than 
the  hind  ones.  Teeth  I-JI  no  canines.  The  most 


26  MAMMALS, 

abundant  and  widely  distributed  family  of  the  Insecti- 
vora.  The  assumed  specific  distinctions  in  this  family 
are  utterly  worthless,  and  it  is  at  present  impossible  to 
characterize  the  species.  The  following  are  the  best 
known. 

*  Ears  large ;  auricle  directed  backwards ;  tail  about  as  long  as 
the  body ;  upper  anterior  incisors  with  a  second  basal  hook, 
and  an  angular  process  on  the  inner  side  near  the  point. 

SOREX,  1. 

**  Ears  small,  concealed  by  the  fur ;  tail  not  longer  than  head ; 
auricle  directed  forwards;  upper  anterior  incisor  without 
above-mentioned  hook  and  process.  .  .  BLABINA,  2. 

/.  SOREX,  Linnaeus.     SHREWS. 

1.  S.  p/atyrhinuSf  (Dek.)  Wagner.     COMMON  SHREW. 
A  small,  long-nosed,  large-eared  species,  of  a  chestnut 
color,  having  the  tail  much  shorter  than  head  and  body; 
said  to  be  abundant  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States. 

2.  S.  cooper/',  Bach.   WESTERN  SHREW.    Still  smaller; 
color  light  chestnut;    tail  nearly  as  long  as  head   and 
body.    New  England,  N.  and  W. 

2.  BLARINA,  Gray.     SHORT-TAILED  SHREWS. 
1.  B.  brev/cauda,  (Say)  Baird.     MOLE  SHREW.     Tail 
less  than   one-third   length   of   head   and  body;    color 
brownish  gray.     E.  U.  S.,  the  common  species. 


OEDEE  E.-BODESTIA. 

(The  Rodents  or  Glires.) 

FAMILY  X.— SCIURID^E. 

(The  Squirrels.) 

Rodents  with  the  molars  £:£  (upper  anterior  often 
deciduous),  the  last  4  of  nearly  equal  size;  a  distinct 
postorbital  process  of  frontal  bone;  tibia  and  fibula 


SCIUELD^E. — X.  27 

distinct.    Species  of  rather  small  size,  widely  distributed. 

The  variations  in  color,  .etc.,  are  extremely  great,  and 

the  number  of  well-defined  species  is  very  much  less 

than  was  once  supposed. 

*  A  densely  furred  membrane  extending  along  the  sides  between 
the  anterior  and  posterior  limbs ;  tail  depressed,  flattened, 
densely  furred ;  permanent  molars  5-5  above. 

SCIUBOPTEKUS,  1. 

**  Sides  without  membrane  for  "  flying." 

f  No  cheek  pouches ;  tail  bushy,  at  least  as  long  as  body ;  ears 
long;  no  black  stripes  along  the  back.       .       Scrunus,  2. 
f  f  Cheek  pouches  present. 

|  Back  with  3  to  5  distinct  black  stripes ;   tail  shorter  than 
body,  not  bushy ;  cheek  pouches  well  developed. 

TAMIAS,  3. 

$  Not  as  above ;  body  rather  slender,  squirrel-like ;  cheek 
pouches  well  developed ;  claw  of  thumb  rudimentary 
or  wanting.  .  .  %  .  .  SPERMOPHILUS,  4. 
ftt  Body  large,  thick-set,  depressed ;  cheek  pouches  shallow ; 
thumb  rudimentary,  armed  with  a  small  flat  nail,  not  a 
claw;  soles  naked.  .  .  .  ARCTOMYS,  5. 

/.  SCIUROPTERUS,  P.  Cuvier.    FLYING  SQUIRRELS. 
<  Pteromys,  Cuvier. 

1.  S.  volans  (L.)  Coues.  COMMON  FLYING  SQUIRREL. 
Yellowish  brown,  creamy  white  below.  N.  Am.,  abun- 
dant. (P.  volucella,  etc.,  authors.) 

2.  SCIURUS,  Linnaeus.     SQUIRRELS. 

1.  S.  cinereus,  Linn.  Fox  SQUIRREL.  Upper  molars 
permanently  4;  tail  very  large  and  bushy;  general  color 
rusty  gray,  varying  from  almost  white,  through  various 
shades  of  rusty  red  to  jet  black,  the  latter  color  rare 
northward,  reddish  and  orange  shades  predominating 
westward;  L.  26;  T.  14.  E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant  in  the 


28  MAMMALS. 

Mississippi  region.  Leading  varieties  are:  var.  niger, 
the  Southern  form,  gray  to  black  with  the  ears  and  nose 
white;  var.  cinereus,  the  Eastern  form,  with  short  ears, 
scarcely  longer  than  the  fur;  and  var.  ludomcianus,  the 
"Western  form,  with  high  ears  and  a  prevailing  tinge  of 
orange  red. 

2.  S.   carolinensis,  Auct.      GRAY   SQUIRREL.    BLACK 
SQUIRREL.     Upper  molars  5;  varies  from  grizzly  yellow- 
ish gray  to  pure  jet  black;  L.  24;  T.  13.     N.  Am.,  E.  of 
the  plains,  abundant. 

3.  S.  hudsonius,  Pallas.     RED  SQUIRREL.   CHICKAREE. 
Chiefly  rusty  red,   back  with  a  wash  of    brighter    red; 
L.  14;  T.  6£.     N.  Am.,  rather  northerly;  abundant. 

3.  TAMIAS,  Illiger.     GROUND  SQUIRRELS. 

1.  T.  str/atus,  (L.)  Baird.  CHIPMUNK.  GROUND  SQUIR- 
REL. Back  and  sides  with  five  black  stripes;  L.  11;  T. 
4£.  Maine  to  Va.,  and  westward;  abundant. 

4.  SPERMOPHILUS,  Cuvier.     GOPHERS. 

1.  S.    tr/decem/ineatus,     ( Mitch. )    Aud.    &    Bach. 
STRIPED    GOPHER.      Dark    brown,    with    light    stripes 
alternating  with  lines  of  dots,  about  thirteen  in  all;  L. 
10;  T.  4.     Prairies;  Ark.  to  the  Saskatchawan. 

2.  S.  franklini,  (Sab.)  Rich.     GRAY  GOPHER.    Yellow- 
ish gray,  mottled  with  brown;  L.  15;  T.  5£.     Prairies; 
111.  and  northward. 

5.  ARCTOMYS,  Schreber.    MARMOTS. 

1.  A.  monax,  (L.)  Gmel.  WOODCHUCK.  GROUND  HOG. 
Grizzly  gray,  varying  to  chestnut  and  blackish.  Hud- 
son's Bay  to  Va.,  and  westward;  common.' 


GEOMYID^B. — XII.  29 

FAMILY  XI.  — CASTORID^E. 

( The  Beavers.) 

Aquatic  Rodents  of  large  size,  having  the  molars 
rootless,  |-;f-,  or  |-;j-;  fore  feet  with  five  distinct  toes  and 
claws;  tibia  and  fibula  distinct;  no  postorbital  process. 
A  small  family,  containing  but  two  existing  genera, 
Anisonyx  of  our  N.W.  coast,  and  Castor. 

*  Molars  4-4  above ;  hind  feet  webbed ;  tail  broad,  flat,  and  scaly. 

CASTOR,  1. 
/.  CASTOR,  Linnaeus.     BEAVERS. 

1.  C.  fiber,  L.  BEAVER.  Mexico  to  the  Polar  Sea; 
now  being  rapidly  exterminated.  (C.  canadensis,  Kuhl.) 

FAMILY  XII.  —  GEOMYHLE. 

{The  Pouched  Gophers.) 

Cheek  pouches  large  and  distinct,  opening  outside  of 
the  mouth.  Molars  f:J;  incisors  large  and  thick;  skull 
heavy;  temporal  bones  enormously  developed.  Limbs 
about  equal,  the  fore  claws,  five  in  number,  very  large; 
tibia  and  fibula  united.  Body  thick-set  and  clumsy. 

Genera  two,  Geomys  and  Thomomys,  all  North  Ameri- 
can, and  chiefly  inhabiting  the  central  plains;  habits 
nocturnal  and  subterranean. 

*  A  large  groove  near  the  middle  of  each  upper  incisor ;  crown 

of  molars  elliptical GEOMYS,  1. 

/.  GEOMYS,  Rafinesque.     POUCHED  GOPHERS. 
1.  G.  bursar/us,  (Shaw)  Rich.    POCKET  GOPHER.    Red- 
dish brown,  with  plumbeous  tinge.     Prairies,  "Wis.  and 
Ills.,  westward. 

FAMILY  XIII.  — ZAPODIDJE. 

(The  Jumping  Mice.) 

Hind  legs  greatly  elongated,  adapted  for  taking  long 
leaps;  fore  legs  short.  Tail  very  long.  Molars  f;f; 


30  MAMMALS. 

tibia  and  fibula  united.  Contains,  probably,  but  a  single 
species,  inhabiting  the  Northern  U.  S.,  related  to  the  Old 
World  Jerboas. 

/.  ZAPUS,  Coues          JUMPING  MICE. 

=  tTaculuSj  Wagler. 

1.   Z.    hudsonius,    ( Zimmermann )    Coues.     Yellowish 
brown.     U.  S.,  chiefly  northward;  Variable. 

FAMILY  XIV.  — MURIDJE. 

(The  Mice.) 

Incisors  J-;  molars  usually  f;J;  anteorbital  foramen  a 
vertical  slit,  widening  above  and  bounded  externally  by 
a  broad  plate  of  the  upper  maxillary;  coronoid  and 
condyloid  processes  of  lower  jaw  well  developed.  A 
large  family,  found  in  all  parts  of  the  globe,  some  of  the 
species  (Mus)  being  cosmopolitan,  having  accompanied 
man  in  his  migrations  through  the  ages;  all  are  of  small 
size,  the  muskrat  being  one  of  the  largest,  and  many  are 
smaller  than  any  other  quadrupeds,  except  the  Shrews. 
*  Incisors  laterally  compressed ;  molars  rooted-  (MURING.) 
f  Molars  with  three  tubercles  in  transverse  series ;  soles  naked ; 
tail  long,  scaly ;  (Old  World  species,  introduced  in  America.) 

Mus,  1. 
f  f  Molars  complicated,  with  two  tubercles  in  transverse  series ; 

soles  usually  hairy;  (New  World  species.) 
a.  Rat-like;  size  large;  ears  large,  rarely  naked.   NEOTOMA,S. 
aa.  Mouse-like ;  size  small. 

6.  Incisors  not  grooved ;  ears  very  large ;  feet  and  lower 

parts  usually  white.        .        .        .       HESPEBOMYS,  3. 

6&.  Size  very  small ;  upper  incisors  grooved  longitudinally 

along  their  anterior  surface.          .          OCHETODON,  4. 

:*  Incisors  as  broad  as  deep ;  molars  rootless  (except  in  Ewtomys). 

J  Tail  not  specially  compressed ;  teeth  not  grooved. 


MUHLD^E. — XIV.  31 

c.  Molars  rooted;  coronoid  process  of  lower  jaw,  not  reaching 

level  of  condyle ;  ears  overtopping  the  fur.  EVOTOMYS,  5. 

cc.  Molars  rootless ;  coronoid  process  as  high  as  condyle ;  ears 

more  or  less  concealed.         J        .        .         ABVICOLA,  6. 

tt  Upper   incisors    grooved ;    root   of    lower   incisor   ending 

abruptly  opposite  the  last  molar ;  ears  large. 

SYNAPTOMYS,  7. 

\\\  Tail  scant -haired,  vertically  flattened;    hind  feet   partly 
webbed;  size  large FIBER,  8. 

/.  MUS,  Linnaeus.     OLD  WORLD  RATS  AND  MICE. 

1.  M.  decuman  us,  Pallas.     BROWN  or  NORWAY  RAT. 
Tail  nearly  an  inch  shorter  than  head  and  body,  grayish 
brown  above;  paler  below;  feet  dusty  white;  fur  mixed 
with  stiff  hairs;  cosmopolitan;  introduced  into  America 
about  1775,  and  now  the  commonest  species. 

2.  /Iff.  rattus,  L.     BLACK  RAT.     Tail  not  shorter  than 
head  and  body;    sooty  black,   plumbeous   below;    feet 
brown;  introduced  about  1544,  but  now  being  supplanted 
by  the  preceding. 

3.  M.    alexandrinus,    Geoff.      ROOF    RAT.     WHITE  - 
BELLIED  RAT.     Introduced  in  the  Southern  States. 

4.  M.  musculus,  L.     COMMON  HOUSE  MOUSE.     Cosmo- 
politan; every  where  too  well  known. 

2.  NEOTOMA,  Say.  &  Ord.    WOOD  RATS. 
1.  N.  flor/dana,  S.  &  O.    WOOD  RAT.     Tail  scantily 
hairy,   scarcely   as   long   as   body   without    head;    feet 
entirely  white;    L.  14;    T.  6,  or  less.      S.  U.  S.,  N.  to 
Mass,  and  Ills. 

3.  HESPEROMYS,Wa,teThouse.   WHITE  -  FOOTED  MICE. 

*  Fur  soft  and  glossy ;  lower  parts  white ;  soles  naked,  or  slightly 
hairy;  tail  closely  hairy;  ears  large.    (Vesperimus.) 

1.  H.  leucopus,  (Raf.)  LeC.     DEER  MOUSE. 


32  MAMMALS. 

FOOTED  MOUSE.  Yellowish  brown;  tail  distinctly  bicolor, 
about  as  long  as  head  and  body;  hind  feet  more  than  £ 
inch.  N.  Am.;  abundant. 

2.  H.  michiganensis,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Wagner.    MICHI- 
GAN MOUSE.     Tail  little  longer  than  body  without  head, 
bicolor;    hind   feet    less    than    f    inch;    dark    brown;    a 
darker  dorsal  band;  L.  3,  or  less,  to  base  of  tail.    Upper 
Miss.  Valley  to  Mich.,  etc. 

3.  H.  aureolus,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Wagner.     RED  MOUSE. 
Yellowish  cinnamon,  bright  especially  on  ears;  belly  not 
pure  white.     Pa.  to  Ills.,  arid  S. 

**  Soles  naked ;  tail  scant-haired,  about  as  long  as  head  and  body ; 
ears  small.     (Oryzomys.) 

4.  H.  palustris,  (Harlan)  Baird.    RICE -FIELD  MOUSE. 
Blackish   and    ashy  above,   becoming  paler  below;    fur 
harsh,  but  compact;  a  large  rat -like  species.     S.  States, 
N.  to  N.  J.  and  Kas. 

4.  OCHETODON,  Coues.     HARVEST  MICE. 

<  Reithrodon,  Baird. 

1.  0.  hum  His,  (Aud.  &  Bach.)  Coues.  HARVEST  MOUSE. 
Tail  shorter  than  head  and  body;  appearance  decidedly 
mouse  -  like.  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  Iowa. 

5.  EVQTOMYS,  Coues.     LONG -EARED  MICE. 

<  Armcola,  Bd. 

1.  E.  rutilus  (Pall.)  var.  gapperi,  (Vigors)  Coues.  LONG- 
EARED  MOUSE.  Color  chestnut ;  ears  prominent ;  a 
brownish  dorsal  band;  size  of  common  mouse.  North- 
ern frontier,  S.  to  Mass. 

6.  ARVICOLA,  Lacepede.     FIELD  MICE. 
*  Back  upper  molar  with  two  external  triangles  and  a  posterior 
crescent;   middle  upper  molar  with  two  internal  triangles; 
front  lower  molar  with  three  internal  and  two  or  three  lateral 
triangles;  size  large.    (Myonomes.) 


SPALACOPODID^E. — XV.  33 

1.  A.  rlparius,  Ord.      MEADOW  MOUSE.     Fore  claws 
not   longer   than    hind    claws;    tail   one-third  length  of 
head  and  body,  or  more.     U.  S. ;  generally  abundant. 

**  Back  upper  molar  with  one  exterior  triangle  and  a  posterior 
trefoil ;  middle  upper  molar  with  one  internal  triangle ;  front 
lower  molar  with  two  internal  and  one  external  triangle; 
fore  claws  not  larger  than  hinder;  fur  ordinary;  size 
medium.  (Pedomys.) 

2.  A.  austerus,  LeC.      Tail  one-third  length  of  head 
and  body,  or  less.     Western  States,  E.  to  Michigan. 

***  Teeth  as  in  Pedomys;  fore  claws  larger  than  hinder;  fur 
dense,  silky,  mole-like;  size  small.  (Pitymys.) 

3.  A.  pinetorum,  LeC.     PINE  MOUSE.     Tail  about  one- 
fourth  length  of  head  and  body.     E.  U.  S. 

7.  SYNAPTOMYS,  Baird.     COOPER'S  MOUSE. 

1.  S.  cooper i ',  Baird.  Head  short  and  heavy;  fur  soft 
and  long.  W.  States,  E.  to  Ind. 

8.  FIBER,  Cuvier.     MUSKEATS. 

1.  F.  zibeihicus,  (L.)  Cuv.  MUSKEAT.  MUSQUASH.  A 
well-known  aquatic  animal,  the  largest  of  our  Muridce. 
N.  Am.;  every  where. 

FAMILY  XV.  —  SPALACOPODIDJ3. 

(The  Porcupines.} 

Body  more  or  less  armed  with  spines.  Molars  rooted, 
£;£.  Toes  4-5  in  ours,  sub -equal,  with  long,  com- 
pressed, curved  claws;  soles  warty.  Muzzle  hairy; 
upper  lip  without  a  groove;  chiefly  arboreal;  nearly  all 
are  South  American.  The  above  characters  apply  rather 
to  the  sub -family  C 'ercolabmce,  to  which  our  genus 
belongs,  than  to  the  whole  family. 


34  MAMMALS. 

/.  ERETHIZON,  F.  Cuvier.    AMERICAN  PORCUPINES. 

1.  E.  dorsatus,  (L.)  F.  Cuvier.  WHITE-HAIEED  PORCU- 
PINE. Dark  brown,  spines  chiefly  white.  N.  Am.,  S.  to 
Mexico.  • 

FAMILY  XVI.  —  LEPORINE. 
( The  Hares.) 

Incisors  f,  the  extra  pair  in  upper  jaw  small,  and 
placed  behind  the  principal  pair,  which  are  grooved  in 
front;  molars  £:£.  A  single  well  -  known  genus,  widely 
distributed. 

/.  LEPUS,  Linnaeus.     HARES. 
*  Fur  white  in  winter. 

1.  L.  amer/'canus,  Erxleben.    WHITE  RABBIT.    NORTH- 
ERN HARE.     Size   large;    hind   feet  longer  than  head; 
ears  about  equal  to  length  of  head;    fur,  in  summer, 
cinnamon   brown,   in   winter,  becoming   white    at    the 
surface,  plumbeous  at  base,  with  a  broad  median  band 
of  reddish  brown.    Wooded  districts,  New  England  to 
Minn.,  and  S.  to  Va.,  along  the  Alleganies. 

**  Fur  never  white. 

2.  L.   sy I  vatic  us,    Bachman.      GRAY    RABBIT.      Size 
small;  hind  feet  not  longer  than  head;    ears  two-thirds 
length  of  head;  gray  above,  varied  with  black,  and  more 
or  less  tinged  with  yellowish  brown;  below  white.   U.  S. 
eastward;    less    northerly    than    the    preceding.      Two 
Southern  species,  L.  palustris,  Bach.,  the  Marsh  Rabbit, 
and  L.  aquaticus,  Bach.,  the  Water  Rabbit,  abound  in 
S.  Ills.    (Nelson.) 


DIDELPHIDIIXE. — XVH.  36 

OKDEK   -F.-MA-RflTTPTATJA. 

(The  Marsupials.) 

FAMILY  XVII.  — DIDELPHIDID^E. 

(The  Opossums.') 

Marsupial  mammals  of  small  size,  with  the  teeth  i.  f  ;f , 
c.  •}-:-}-,  pm.  |;|,  m.  J;j-.  Feet  five  -  toed,  plantigrade,  claws 
5-4.  Tail  usually  very  long,  nearly  naked,  covered  by  a 
scaly  skin,  with  a  few  scattered  hairs,  prehensile.  All 
the  species  are  American. 

/.  DIDELPHYS,  Linnasus.     OPOSSUMS. 

1.  D.  virg iniana,  Shaw.  COMMON  OPOSSUM.  Dirty 
white;  legs  dark;  L.  35;  T.  14.  N.  Y.  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, rather  southerly;  common. 


36  BIRDS. 


55.  — 

(The  Birds.) 

A  Bird  may  be  defined  as  an  air  -  breathing  vertebrate 
with  a  covering  of  feathers;  warm  blood;  a  complete 
double  circulation;  the  two  anterior  limbs  (wings) 
adapted  for  flying  or  swimming,  the  two  posterior  limbs 
(legs)  adapted  for  walking  or  swimming;  respiration 
never  effected  by  gills  or  branchiae,  but,  after  leaving 
the  egg,  by  lungs  which  are  connected  with  air  cavities 
in  various  parts  of  the  body.  Reproduction  by  eggs, 
which  are  fertilized  within  the  body  and  hatched 
externally,  either  by  incubation  or  exposure  to  the  heat 
of  the  sun;  the  shell  calcareous,  hard  and  brittle. 

.  Much  more  might  be  added,  but  the  obvious  distinction 
is  this: — All  Birds  have  feathers,  and  no  other  animal 
has  feathers. 

The  classification  of  this  group,  as  of  most  others,  is 
still  in  an  unsettled  condition.  Strictly  speaking,  the 
existing  members  of  the  class  are  so  closely  related  that 
they  might,  with  propriety,  be  combined  into  one  order, 
which,  by  Prof.  Gill,  has  been  named  EUEHIPIDUEA.  At 
present,  however,  the  term  "  order "  may  be  applied  to 
the  groups  so  designated  below,  without  thereby  implying 
any  such  structural  differences  as  exist  between  the 
"  orders  "  of  Reptiles  or  Fishes. 

We  now  proceed  to  an  artificial  key  to  the 

ORDERS  OF  BIRDS. 

*  Toes  3 :  two  in  front,  one  behind.        .        .        .       PTCARLE,  H. 
**  Toes  3:  all  in  front;  toes  cleft  or  semipalmate.    LIMICOL^J,  M. 


BIRDS.  37 

***  Toes  4 :  two  in  front,  two  behind. 

Bill  cered  and  hooked.        .        .        .       PSITTACI,  I. 

Bill  lengthened,  not  cered  nor  hooked.    PICARLE,  H. 
****  Toes  4 :  three  in  front,  one  behind. 

I.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all,  cleft  to  the  base,  or  with  the  basal 

joints  immovably  coherent. 

a.  Hind  toe  inserted  on  a  level  with  the  rest  and  generally 
longer  than  the  shortest  anterior  toe. 

b.  Nostrils  opening  beneath  a  soft,  swollen  membrane ;  head 

small ;  tarsus  reticulate  behind.        .        COLUMB^E,  K. 
bb.  Bill  hooked  and  cered ;  claws  sharp  and  strong. 

RAPTOKES,  J. 

bbb.  Secondaries  very  short,  six  in  number ;  bill  very  slender ; 

smallest  of  all  birds.         .         .         .         PICARLE,  H. 

bbbb.  Claw  of  hind  toe  as  long  or  longer  than  that  of  middle 

toe;   wing  coverts  in  about  two  series,  not  reaching 

half  way  to  tips  of  secondaries;   musical  apparatus 

more  or  less  highly  developed.         .         PASSERES,  G. 

aa.  Hind  toe  elevated  above  the  level  of  the  rest,  and  usually 

shorter  than  the  others. 

c.  Bill  fissirostral  —  culmen  very  short,  but  gape  very  wide 

and  deep,  reaching  to  below  eyes.        .       PICARLE,  H. 
cc.  Bill  lengthened,  not  fissirostral. 
d.  First  primary  emarginate,  or  else  about  as  long  as 

second. LIMICOL^E,  M. 

dd.  First  primary  not  emarginate,  much  shorter   than 
second.        .        .        .        .        .       ALJECTORIDES,  O. 

II.  Toes  syndactyle — without  webbing,  but  with  the  outer  and 

middle  toes  coherent  half  their  length.       .      PICARLE,  H. 

III.  Toes  semipalmate;  two  or  three  of  them  joined  at  base  only 
by  evident  movable  webbing. 

e.  Hind  toe  inserted  on  a  level  with  the  rest. 
f.  Tibiae  feathered  below. 
g.  Bill  cered  and  hooked ;  claws  sharp  and  strong. 

RAPTORES,  J. 

gg.  Bill  not  cered  and  hooked ;  nostrils  opening  beneath 
a  soft,  swollen  membrane.        .        .      COLUMBJE,  K. 


38  BIRDS. 

ff.  Tibiae  naked  below.         .        .        .         HERODIONES,  N. 
ee.  Hind  toe  inserted  above  the  level  of  the  rest,  and  usually 

shorter  than  any  of  the  others. 
fi.  Tibiae  feathered  below. 
*".  Nostrils  perforate ;  head  more  or  less  naked. 

RAPTORES,  J. 
tV.  Nostrils  imperforate. 

j.  Bill  flssirostral  —  gape  wide, "reaching  to  below  eye. 

PICAHLE,  H. 

jj.  Bill  stout,  not  fissirostral ;  nostrils  scaled  or  feathered. 

GALLINJE,  L. 
M.  Tibiae  naked  below. 

k.  Nostrils  perforate.        .        .        .        ALECTORIDES,  O. 
kk.  Nostrils  imperforate. 

L  Head  bald ;  tarsus  reticulate.       .       HERODIONES,  N. 

tt.  Head  feathered ;  tarsus  usually  scutellate. 

LlMICOI^E,  M. 

IV.  Toes  lobate,  webbed  at  base    or   not,  but  conspicuously 

bordered  on  sides  by  plain  or  scalloped  membranes. 
m.  Tail  rudimentary;  legs  set  far  back.       .       PYGOPODES,  S. 
mm.  Tail  perfect;  a  horny  frontal  shield.       ALECTORIDES,  O. 
mmm.  Tail  perfect;  forehead  feathered,  without  horny  shield. 

LIMICOL^E,  M. 

V.  Toes  palmate ;  three  front  toes  full-webbed. 

n.  Bill  curved  upwards ;  legs  elongated.       .       LiMicoiuE,  M. 

nn.  Bill  lamellate,  mostly  flatfish  and  furnished  at  tip  with  a 

decurved  nail.         .         .         .         LAMELLIROSTRES,  P. 

nnn.  Bill  not  recurved  nor  lamellate. 

o.  Hind  toe  not  lobate ;  wings  long  and  pointed ;  tail  well 

developed LONGDPENNES,  R 

oo.  Hind  toe  lobate;  wings  and  tail  short.       PYGOPODES,  S. 

VI.  Toes  totipalmate ;  all  four  full-webbed.    STEGANOPODES,  Q. 

G.    FAMILIES    OF  PASSERES. 

I.  Oscines.   Each  side  of  tarsus  covered  with  a  plate,  undivided 
in  most  of  its  length  and  meeting  its  fellow  in  a  sharp  ridge 


BIRDS.  39 

behind  (in  a  few  cases,  back  of  tarsus  without  ridge,  and  formed 
of  a  few  scutellae  distinct  from  those  lapping  over  the  front ) ;  first 
primary  short,  spurious  or  wanting,  if  present,  not  more  than 
two-thirds  of  the  longest ;  musical  apparatus  highly  developed. 
*  Primaries  10 ;  the  first  short  or  spurious. 
f  Tarsus  booted ;  rictus  with  bristles. 
a.  Middle  toe  quite  free  from  inner;  birds  of  moderate  size, 

length  more  than  6. 

&.  Wings  moderate,  not  reaching  when  folded  beyond  the 
middle  of  tail,  and  not  more  than  one-third  longer 
than  tail ;  tip  of  wing  formed  by  3d  to  6th  quill ;  no 

blue TURDID^E,  18. 

lib.  Wings  very  long,  pointed,  reaching  beyond  middle  of 

tail,  and  more  than  half  longer;  tip  of  wing  formed 

by  2d  to  4th  quills ;  ours  chiefly  blue.    SAXICOLID^E,  19. 

act.  Middle  and  inner  toes  connected  at  base ;  small,  length 

less  than  5 .     SYLVIID.E,  20. 

ft  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

c.  Nostrils  concealed  by  tufts  of  antrorse,  bristly  feathers. 
d.  First  primary  not  more  than  half  length  of  second ;  bill 

not  notched ;  length  less  than  8. 

e.  Bill  as  long  as  head ;  wings  pointed,  much  longer  than 
tail.        .        .        .        .        .        .        SiTTnxas,  22. 

ee.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head ;  wings  about  as  long  as 

tail PARTD^E,  21. 

dd.  First  primary  more  than  half  length  of  second ;   bill 
usually  notched,  the  bristly  nasal  feathers  branched  to 
their  tips ;  large,  length  more  than  8.        CORVID^E,  35. 
cc.  Nostrils  exposed  (rarely  slightly  overhung). 
/.  Bill  distinctly  notched  near  its  tip,  often  hooked. 

g.  Tail  longer  than  wings ;  general  color  gray  or  ashy- 
brown. 

7i.  Bill  very  stout,  compressed,  strongly  notched,  toothed 
and  abruptly  hooked  at  tip ;  large,  length  8  to  9. 

LANIID^E,  32. 

Wi.  Bill  more  slender,  not  deeply  notched  nor  abruptly 
hooked ;  length  8  to  10.       .       .      TURDID^E,  18. 


40  BIRDS. 

hhh.  Bill  very  slender,  not  strongly  notched  nor  hooked ; 
small,  length  4  to  5.         .          .         SYLVIID^E,  20. 
gg.  Tail  shorter  than  wings ;   general  color  olivaceous ; 
bill  stout,  notched  and  hooked ;  length  4£  to  6i. 

VIREONID.E,  31. 
ff.  Bill  not  at  all  notched. 

i.  Rictus  with  bristles ;  quills  not  barred,  the  tail  longer 

than  wings ;  large,  length  9  or  more.     TURDID^E,  18. 

M.  No  rictal  bristles ;  wings  and  tail  barred  or  undulated, 

usually  about  equal  in  length,  the  latter  of  rounded 

feathers ;  small,  length  6  or  less. 

TROGLODYTID.E,  24. 

Hi.  No  rictal  bristles ;  tail  about  as  long  as  wings,  scan- 

sorial, —  its  feathers  rigid  and  acute,  not  barred ;  bill 

long,  decurved ;  length  5  to  6.      .      CERTHIID.E,  23. 

**  Primaries  9 ;  the  first  about  as  long  as  second. 

$  Bill  fissirostral, — triangular,  depressed,  about  as  wide  at  base 

as  long;  its  wide,  deep  gape  twice  as  long  as  the  culmen, 

reaching  to  opposite  the  eyes;   no  rictal  bristles;  wings 

very  long  and  pointed.        .        .        .       HIRUNDINID^,  29. 

#Bill  tanagrine, —  stout,  conic,  its  outlines  convex,  the  tomia 

with  one  or  more  lobes  or  nicks  near  the  middle;  nostrils 

very  high ;  plumage  brilliant,  chiefly  red  ($)  or  yellow  (9). 

TANAGRID/E,  28. 

\\\  Bill  conirostral,  —  stout  at  base,  and  more  or  less  conic; 

nostrils  high  up ;  tomia  more  or  less  evidently  angulated 

near  the  base  (i.  e.,  "  corners  of  mouth  drawn  downward." ) 

j.  Bill  truly  conic,  much   shorter  than   the  head,  usually 

notched  at  tip,  or  with  bristles  at  the  rictus. 

FRrNGILLID/E,  33. 

jj.  Bill  conic,  but  lengthened  more  or  less,  about  as  long  as 
head  (except  in  Dolichonyx  and  Molothms,  the  Bob-c- 
link and  Cowbird) ;  no  notch  at  the  tip  or  bristles  at  the 

rictus ICTERHX®,  34. 

fttt  Bill  not  as  above,  with  the  tomia  straight,  or  very  gently 

curved. 

k.  Conspicuously  crested ;  bill  triangular,  depressed,  notched, 
and  hooked;  tail  tipped  with  yellow;  secondaries  (in 
full  plumage)  with  red,  horny  tips.  .  AMPELIDJS,  30. 


BIRDS.  41 

kk.  Nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  feathers ;  tarsus  scutellate 

behind;    hind  claw  long   and   nearly  straight;    inner 

secondaries  lengthened.        .        .        .       ALAUDID.E,  25. 

kkk.  No  crest;  nostrils  exposed;  tarsus  strictly  "oscine." 

I.  Hind  claw  much  elongated,  twice  as  long  as  middle  claw, 

with  its  toe  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ; 

bill  very  slender;  longest  secondary  nearly  equal  to 

primaries  in  closed  wing.         .         MOTACTLLHXE,  26. 

U.  Hind  claw  not  specially  elongated,  not  twice  as  long  as 

middle  claw ;  inner  secondaries  not  lengthened. 

m.  Bill  stout,  compressed,  notched,  and  abruptly  hooked 

at  tip;  general  color  olivaceous,  tail  not  blotched 

with  white  or  yellow.         .        .        VIREONID.E,  31. 

mm.  Bill  various,  notched  or  not,  but  little,  if  at  all, 

hooked ;  colors  often  brilliant.       SYLVICOLID.E,  27. 

II.  Clamatores.    Outside  of  tarsus  covered  with  a  series  of  plates 

variously  arranged,  lapping  entirely  around  in  front  and 

behind  to  meet  in  a  groove  on  the  inner  side ;  primaries  10. 

n.  First  primary  lengthened,  often  longest,  always  more  than  £ 

length  of  the  longest;  bill  broad,  depressed,  tapering  to  a 

point  which  is  abruptly  hooked ;  rictal  bristles  numerous ; 

nostrils  overhung  but  not  concealed ;  tail  not  tipped  with 

yellow.  ....        TYRANNIZE,  36. 

H,    FAMILIES  OF  PICARLE. 

I.  Feet  zygodactyle  (two  toes  in  front,  two  behind)  by  reversion 

of  outer  toe ;  ( hallux  wanting  in  Picoides.) 

a.  Tail  scansorial,  of  12  rigid,  acuminate  feathers,  of  which  the 
outer  pair  are  short  and  concealed;  bill  stout  and  straight; 
nasal  tufts  usually  developed.  .  .  .  Picnx<E,  42. 

aa.  Tail  not  scansorial,  of  8  to  10  long,  soft  feathers ;  bill  de- 
curved  ;  no  nasal  tufts CDCHLID^E,  41. 

II.  Feet  syndactyle,  by  cohesion  of  outer  and  middle  toes ;  tibiae 

naked  below ;  bill  stout  and  straight,  longer  than  head. 

ALCEDINID.E,  40. 

III.  Feet  neither  zygodactyle  nor  syndactyle;  wings  long  and 
pointed. 


42  BIRDS. 

5.  Bill  tenuirostral,  very  slender,  much  longer  than  head ;  secon- 
daries very  short,  6  in  number  j  plumage  compact. 

TKOCHILID^E,  39, 
bb.  Bill  fissirostral,  much  shorter  than  head ;  secondaries  more 

than  6. 

c.  Rictal  bristles  present;  middle  claw  pectinate;   plumage 
lax,  variegated ;  length  8  or  more.       CAPRIMULGHX<E,  37. 
cc.  No  rictal  bristles ;   plumage  compact,  of  blended  colors ; 
tail  feathers  (in  ours)  spinous ;  length  6  or  less. 

CYPSELID^E,  38. 

I.    FAMILIES  OF  PSITTACI. 

I.  Cere  feathered,  concealing  the  nostrils;   plumage  coarse  and 
dry,  chiefly  green ARID.E,  43. 

J.    FAMILIES  OF  RAPTORES. 

I.  Hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  more  than  half  length  of 

outer  toe,  and  with  a  large  claw;  claws  strong,  sharp,  much 
curved;  nostrils  irnperforate ;  head  mostly  feathered;  bill 
strongly  hooked. 

a.  Eyes  directed  forwards  in  consequence  of  the  great  lateral 

expansion  of  the  cranium,  and  surrounded  by  a  disk  of 

radiating  bristly  feathers.        .       .       .        STRIGID^E,  44. 

aa.  Eyes  lateral ;  no  complete  facial  disk.      .     FALCONIIXE,  45. 

II.  Hind  toe  elevated,  not  more  than  half  length  of  outer  toe; 

claws  weak  and  little  curved;  nostrils  perforate;  head  mostly 
naked ;  bill  little  hooked.  .  .  .  CATHARTID^E,  46. 

K.    FAMILIES  OF  COLTJMBJ3. 

I.  Head  small,  feathered  (except  sometimes  a  circumorbital  ring); 
feathers  loosely  inserted,         .       .       .        COLUMBID^J,  47. 

L.    FAMILIES  OF  GALLIX^B. 

I.  Head  unfeathered,  with  wattles  and  caruncles:  a  tuft  of  bristly 

feathers  on  breast;  tarsus  spurred  in<5;  plumage  iridescent; 
large,  36  or  more MELEAGRIIXE,  48. 

II.  Head  feathered ;  plumage  not  iridescent ;  size  much  smaller, 


BIRDS.  43 

Tarsus  partly  or  entirely  feathered,  as  is  also  the  nasal 
groove  ;  sides  of  neck  usually  with  bare  skin  or  pecul- 
iar feathers  .....  TETRAONHXE,  49. 

Tarsus  and  nasal  groove  unfeathered  ;  no  peculiar  feathers 
on  neck  .......  PERDICHXE,  50. 

M.    FAMILIES  OP  LIMICOL^E. 

I.  Toes  lobate  ;  tarsus  notably  compressed  ;  body  depressed. 

PHAIAROPODUXE,  54. 

II.  Toes  not  lobate  ;  tarsus  not  specially  compressed. 

*  Legs  exceedingly  long  ;  tarsus  as  long  as  tail  ;  bill  much 
longer  than  head,  slender,  acute,  and  curved  upwards  ;  feet 
4-toed  and  palmate,  or  3-toed  and  semipalmate. 

RECURVIROSTRID.E,  53. 

**  Bill  usually  shorter  than  head,  pigeon-like,  the  broad,  soft 
base  separated  by  a  constriction  from  the  hard  tip  ;  head 
sub-globose,  on  a  short  neck;  tarsus  reticulate;  toes  3 
(except  in  Squatarola).  .  .  .  CHARADRIID.E,  51. 

***  Bill  usually  longer  than  head,  mostly  grooved,  not  con- 
stricted, softish  to  its  tip;  tarsus  scutellate;  toes  4  (except 
in  Oalidris)  ......  SCOLOPACED^,  55. 

****  Not  as  above;  bill  hard,  either  compressed  and  truncate, 
or  acute;  feet  4-toed  and  cleft,  or  3-toed  and  semipalmate. 

H^EMATOPODIILE,  52. 

N.    FAMILIES  OF  HERODIONES. 

I.  Bill  long,  straight,  acute  ;  middle  claw  pectinate.   ARDEIIXE,  56. 

II.  Bill  curved  downwards,  or  else  flat  and  spoon-shaped. 

TANTALUM,  57. 

0.    FAMILIES  OF  ALECTORIDES. 

I.  Very  large  ;  length  36  or  more,  with  excessively  long  neck  and 
legs;  toes  shorter  than  tarsus;  bill  contracted  at  'the  middle. 


II.  Smaller,  length  18  or  less,  with  comparatively  short  neck  and 
legs  ;  toes  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  bill  not  contracted. 

RALLID^E,  59. 


44  BIRDS. 

P.    FAMILIES  OF  LAMELLIROSTRES. 
I.  Neck  and  legs  moderate ;  tibiae  feathered ;  bill  not  decurved. 

ANATID.E,  60. 
Q.    FAMILIES  OF  STEGANOPODES. 

I.  Bill  longer  than  tail,  many  times  longer  than  head,  with  the 

gular  pouch  enormous ;  wings  long.       .      PELECANFIXE,  61. 

II.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  shorter  than  tail,  which  is  fan- 

shaped,  of  rigid  feathers ;  wings  short. 

PHALACROCORACIIXE,  62. 

R.    FAMILIES  OF  LONGIPENNES. 

I.  Nostrils  not  tubular,  perforate;  bill  with  a  continuous  covering. 

LARID^E,  63. 

S.    FAMILIES  OF  PYGOPODES. 

L  Feet  palmate;  tail  developed ;  head  closely  feathered. 

COLYMBID^:,  64. 

II.  Feet  lobate ;  tail  undeveloped  •  head  usually  with  naked  loral 

strip  and  peculiar  feathers.        .        .        .      PODICIPID^E,  65. 


OEDEE  GL-PASSEEES. 

( Passerine  Birds.) 

Toes  always  4;  feet  fitted  for  perching;  the  hind  toe 
always  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  its  claw  at  least  as  long 
as  that  of  middle  toe,  and  often  much  longer;  joints  of 
toes  respectively  2,  3,  4,  5,  from  first  to  fourth;  toes 
never  versatile;  wing  coverts  comparatively  few,  chiefly 
in  two  series.  Tail  feathers  12,  primaries  9  or  10. 
Musical  apparatus  more  or  less  developed.  Sternum  of 
a  certain  uniform  pattern.  Nature  altricial. 

This  group  comprises  the  great  majority  of  all  Birds, 
and  they  represent  the  "  highest  grade  of  development, 
and  the  most  complex  organization  of  the  class;  their 


TURDIDJE. — xvm.  45 

high  physical  irritability  is  co-ordinate  with  the  rapidity 
of  their  respiration  and  circulation;  they  consume  the 
most  oxygen  and  live  the  fastest  of  all  birds."  (Coues.) 

FAMILY  XVIIL— TURDIDJE. 

(The  Thrushes) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  or  spurious;  bill  generally 
rather  long,  not  conical,  usually  with  a  slight  notch  near 
the  tip ;  nostrils  oval,  not  concealed,  but  nearly  or  quite 
reached  by  the  bristly  frontal  feathers;  rictus  with 
bristles,  which  are  well  developed  in  most  of  our  species; 
tarsus  in  typical  species,  "booted,"  i.e.,  enveloped  in  a 
continuous  plate,  formed  by  the  fusion  of  all  the  scutellas 
except  two  or  three  of  the  lowest;  in  other  species  dis- 
tinctly scutellate.  Toes  deeply  cleft,  the  inner  one  free, 
the  outer  united  to  the  middle  one,  not  more  than  half 
the  length  of  the  first  basal  joint. 

A  large  family  of  more  than  two  hundred  species, 
found  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  and  embracing  quite  a 
wide  variety  of  forms.  Nearly  all  of  them  are  remark- 
able for  their  vocal  powers.  Their  food  consists  of 
insects  and  soft  fruits. 

Our  species  fall  into  three  strongly  marked  sub-families, 
of  which  the  Mimince  have  been  often  associated  with 
the  Wrens,  and  the  Myiadestincz  with  the  Wax  Wings. 

I.  The  TURDIN^E,  or  Typical  Thrushes,  have  the  tarsus 
booted,  the  first  primary  spurious,  and  the  wings  longer 
than  the  tail.  They  build  rather  rude  nests,  sometimes 
plastered  with  mud,  and  they  lay  four  to  six  greenish  or 
bluish  eggs,  either  plain  or  speckled.  All  sing  well,  and 
some  of  them  most  exquisitely.  Our  species  are  usually 
referred  to  the  typical  genus,  Turdus,  but  we  have  here 
separated  the  Wood  Thrushes,  as  a  group  of  full  generic 


46  BIRDS. 

value  (Hylocichla))  as  suggested  by  Prof.  Baird.     (Hist. 
N,  Am.  Birds,  page  4.) 

II.  The   MIHIN^E,   or   Mocking   Thrushes,   have   the 
tarsus  scutellate  (sometimes  booted  in  Galeoscoptes),  the 
first  primary  scarcely  spurious;  the  rictal  bristles  better 
developed,  and  the  tail  relatively  longer,  in  our  species 
longer  than  the  wings.     These  birds  have  a  brilliant  and 
varied  song,  but  all  of  them  are  plainly  clad.     All  are 
American. 

III.  MYIADESTII^E,  the  Fly-Catching  Thrushes,  have 
been  usually  associated  with  the  Ampelidcv,  but  their 
affinities  are  rather  with  the  thrushes,  as  Prof.  Baird  has 
shown.     All  are  American, — the  single  species  within 
our  limits  is  a  rare  straggler  from  the  West. 

*  Tarsus  booted;  wiugs  longer  than  tail.     (TURDIN^.) 
f  Breast  spotted ;  length  8£,  or  less.        .        .       HYLOCICHLA,  1. 
ft  Breast  unspotted ;  ( in  ours)  reddish  or  "banded  with  black ; 

length  9|,  or  more "  TURDUS,  2. 

** Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  (scutella  rarely  obsolete);  wings  (in 

ours)  shorter  than  tail.    (MIMING.) 

\  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  sometimes  much  longer,  straight 
or  curved,  not  notched.         .        .        HARPORHYNCIIUS,  3. 
\\  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  notched  at  tip. 
a.  Tarsus  distinctly  scutellate ;  ours  ashy,  with  black  and 

white. MIMUS,  4. 

aa.  Tarsus  feebly  scutellate ;  plumage  lead-colored ;  crissum 

chestnut-red GALEOSCOPTES,  5. 

***  Tarsus  booted ;  wings  about  equal  to  tail;  bill  short,  much 
depressed,  notched  and  hooked ;  color  ashy.    (MYIADESTIN^.) 

MYIADESTES,  6. 

/.  HYLOCICHLA,  Baird.    WOOD  THRUSHES. 

<  Turdus,  Linn. 

1.  H.  mustelina,  (Gm.)  Bd.  WOOD  THRUSH.   Cinnamon 
brown,  brightest  on  the  head,  shading  into  olive  on  the 


TUKDID^E. — XVIH.  47 

rump;  breast  with  large,  very  distinct  dusky  spots;  L. 
8;  W.  4£;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S-,  in  woodland;  our  largest  and 
handsomest  thrush.  An  exquisite  songster. 

2.  H.  pa.lia.si,  (Cab.)  Bd,     HEKMIT   THRUSH.      Olive 
brown  above,  becoming  rufous  on  rump  and  tail;  Abreast 
with  numerous,  rather  distinct,  dusky  spots;  a  whitish 
orbital  ring;  L.  7;  W.  3-J;  T.  2£.      N.  Am.,  migrating 
early. 

3.  H.  swainsoni,  (Cab.)  Bd.     OLIVE -BACKED  THRUSH. 
SWAINSON'S  THRUSH.     Uniform  olive  above;  breast  and 
throat   thickly    marked   with  large,   dusky  olive    spots; 
breast  and  sides  of  head  strongly  buffy- tinted;  a  con- 
spicuous buffy  orbital  ring;  L.  7J;  W.  4;  T.  3.     N.  Am. 

4.  H.  alicicB,  Baird.    GRAY  CHEEKED  THRUSH.    ALICE 
THRUSH.      Similar    to   the    preceding,   of    which    it   is 
probably  a  variety,  but  without  ring  about  eye,  or  any 
buffy  tint    about    head.      E.    N.   Am.,    ranging    more 
northerly. 

5.  H.   fuscescens,   (Steph.)   Bd.      TAWNY    THRUSH. 
WILSON'S   THRUSH.     VEERY.      Uniform    tawny   above; 
breast  and   throat   washed   with    brownish    or    pinkish 
yellow,  and  marked  with  small  indistinct  brownish  spots; 
L.  ?i;    W.  4i;    T.  3f     E.  N.  Am.,  frequent,   a  fine 
songster. 

2.  TURDUS,  Linnaeus.     THRUSHES. 

*  Sexes  similar;  breast  not  spotted  nor  banded;  throat  streaked; 

bill  notched,    (Planesticus,  Bon.) 

1.  T.  tn/grator/us,  L.  ROBIN.  AMERICAN  RED  BREAST. 
Olive  gray  above;  head  and  tail  blackish;  throat  white, 
with  black  streaks;  under  parts  chestnut  brown;  L.  9f ; 
W.  5i;  T.  44.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 
**  Sexes  unlike ;  throat  unstreaked ;  male  with  a  black  collar;  bill 

not  notched.    (Hesperocichla,  Bd.) 


48  BIRDS. 

2.  T.  n&vius,  Gm.  OREGON  ROBIN.  VARIED  THRUSH. 
Slate  color,  orange  brown  below;  L.  9f;  W.  5;  T.  4. 
Pacific  slope,  accidental  in  Mass.,  N.  J.,  and  L.  I. 

3.  HARPORHYNCHUS,  Cabanis.     MOCKING  THRUSHES. 

1.  H.  rufus,  (L.)  Cab.  BROWN  THRUSH.  SANDY 
MOCKING  BIRD.  THRASHER.  Cinnamon  red  above; 
lower  parts  thickly  spotted;  bill  nearly  straight,  shorter 
and  much  less  curved  than  in  many  other  Harporhynchi, 
five  species  of  which  occur  in  the  U.  S.  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains;  L.  11;  W.  4;  T.  5£.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant.  A  brilliant  songster. 

4.  MIMUS,  Boie.     MOCKING  BIRDS. 

1.  M.  polyglottus,  (L.)  Boie.  MOCKING  BIRD.  Ashy 
brown  above;  wings  blackish,  with  white  wing  bars; 
tail  blackish,  outer  feathers  white;  L.  9J;  W.  4J;  T.  5. 
U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  Mass.,  Iowa,  etc.  A 
renowned  songster. 

5.  GALEOSCOPTES,  Cabanis.     CAT  BIRDS. 
<  Mimus,  Boie. 

1.  G.  carolinensis,  (L.)  Cab.  CAT  BIRD.  Dark  slate 
color;  crown  and  tail  black;  crissum  brownish  chestnut; 
L.  8|;  W.  3f;  T.  4.  U.  S.,  every  where. 

6.  MYIADESTES,  Swainson.     FLY  -  CATCHING  THRUSHES. 

1.  M.  townsendi,  (Aud.)  Cab.  TOWNSEND'S  SOLITAIRE. 
Ashy  gray,  paler  below;  wing  bands  buffy;  tail  blackish; 
whitish  ring  about  eye;  young  with  reddish  spots;  L.  8; 
W.  4J;  T.  4J.  Rocky  Mountains  and  westward,  straying 
E.  to  Chicago.  (Nelson.)  An  exquisite  songster. 


SYLVIID^E. — XX.  49 

FAMILY  XIX.  — SAXICOLIDJE. 

(The  Stone  Chats.) 

Characters  similar  to  those  of  the  Thrushes,  but  the 
wings  longer  and  very  much  pointed,  reaching,  when 
folded,  beyond  the  middle  of  the  short  tail.  Tarsus 
"booted;"  first  primary  spurious.  A  family  scarcely 
distinct  from  Turdidce,  of  about  twelve  genera  and  one 
hundred  species.  They  are  chiefly  Old  World  birds,  but 
two  genera  occurring  in  America.  Ours  are  rather  small 
(less  than  seven),  with  oval  nostrils  and  bristles  about 
the  rictus. 

*  Chiefly  or  partly  blue ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
claw;  bill  stout SIALIA,  1. 

/.  SIALIA,  Swainson.     BLUE  BIRDS. 

1.  S.   sia/is,  (L.)  Haldeman.      COMMON   BLUE  BIRD. 
Bright   blue   above,  throat   and   breast   reddish   brown, 
belly  white;    $  usually  duller  with  a  brownish  tinge  on 
back;  young,  as  in  others,  spotted;  L.  6f ;  W.  4;  T.  3. 
E.  N.  Am.,  abundant;  breeds  every  where. 

2.  S.  mexicana,  Sw.    WESTERN  BLUE  BIRD.     Head, 
neck  all  around  arid  upper  parts  generally,  blue;  back 
with  more   or  less  chestnut;    breast  and  sides  reddish 
brown,  otherwise  bluish  below;    size  of  last.      Pacific 
Slope,  E.  to  Iowa  (accidental.) 

3.  5.   arctica,  Sw.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  BLUE   BIRD. 
Rich   greenish   blue;    belly   white;    ?    with  pale  drab, 
instead  of  blue,  on  breast,  etc.;  size  of  others,  or  smaller. 
Central  Table  lands  chiefly,  E.  to  Missouri  R. 

FAMILY  XX.  — SYLVIID^E. 

(The  Sylvias.) 

Primaries  10,  the    first   short   but   scarcely  spurious. 
Bill  slender,  depressed  at  base,  notched  and  decurved  at 
3 


50  BIRDS. 

tip.  Rictal  bristles  conspicuous;  nostrils  oval,  over- 
hung by  a  few  bristles  or  a  feather.  Tarsus  booted  or 
scutellate.  Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  attached  its  whole 
length  externally,  half  way  internally.  A  large  family 
of  nearly  six  hundred  species  of  small  birds,  chiefly  of 
the  Old  World,  where  they  take  the  place  filled  in 
America  by  the  Sylvicolidce.  To  this  family  belongs 
the  European  nightingale.  Our  species  fall  into  two 
sub  -  families,  HegulincB  and  JPolioptilince,  each  repre- 
sented by  its  typical  genus. 

*  Tarsus  booted;  wings  longer  than  tail.  .  .  REGULUS,  1. 
**  Tarsus  scutellate;  wings  not  longer  than  tail.  POLIOPTILA,  2. 

/.  REGULUS,  Cuvier.     KINGLETS. 

1.  R.  satrapa,  Licht.     GOLDEN  -  CROWNED   KINGLET. 
Olivaceous;  crown  with  a  yellow  patch,  bordered  with 
black,  orange    red    in    the    center  in  £;    extreme  fore- 
head and  line  over  eye,  whitish;  vague  dusky  blotch  at 
base  of  secondaries;  a  tiny  feather  over  each  nostril;  L. 
4;  W.  2J;  T.  If.    N.  Am. 

2.  R.  calendula,  (L.)  Licht.    RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 
Olivaceous;   crown  with  a  scarlet  patch  in  both  sexes, 
wanting  the  first  year;  no  black  about  head;    no  nasal 
feather;  L.  4±;  W.  2J;  T.  If.     N.  Am. 

2.  POL/OPT/LA,  Sclater.     GNAT  CATCHERS. 

1.  P.  cceru/ea,  (L.)  Sclater.  BLUE -GRAY  GNAT 
CATCHER.  Clear  ashy  blue,  brightest  on  head;  whitish 
below;  $  with  forehead  and  sides  of  crown  black;  outer 
tail  feathers  chiefly  white;  L.  4£;  W.  2;  T.  2J.  U.  S., 
chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  Mass,  and  L.  Mich.  Noticeable 
for  its  sprightly  ways  and  squeaky  voice,  "  like  a  mouse 
with  the  toothache; "  but  really  a  fine  singer. 


PAKID^E. — XXI.  51 

FAMILY  XXI.  — PARID^E. 

(The  Titmice.) 

Primaries  10,  first  short;  wings  rounded;  not  longer 
than  the  rounded  tail.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  not 
notched  nor  decurved  at  the  tip;  loral  feathers  bristly, 
and  nostrils  concealed  by  dense  tufts.  Tarsus  scutellate, 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Toes  much  soldered 
at  base,  widened  beneath  into  a  sort  of  palm.  Plumage 
lax,  little  variable. 

Small  birds,  less  than  seven  inches  long,  resembling 
the  Jays  in  several  respects,  restless,  noisy,  and  scarcely 
migratory.  Species  seventy-five  or  more,  chiefly  of  the 
Northern  hemisphere,  and  abounding  in  both  continents. 
*  Conspicuously  crested ;  chiefly  lead  gray,  paler  below. 

LOPHOPHANES,  1. 

**  Not  crested ;  crown,  chin  and  throat  black  or  brown.    PAKUS,  2. 

/.  LOPHOPHANES,  Kaup.    TUFTED  TITMICE. 

1.  L.  bicolor,  (L.)  Bon.  TUFTED  TITMOUSE.  Fore- 
head alone  black;  whitish  below;  sides  washed  with 
reddish;  L.  6i;  W.  3i;  T.  3£.  E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N. 
to  L.  I.  and  L.  Mich.;  abundant  in  woodland  and 
remarkable  for  its  loud,  ringing  notes.  Three  other 
species  occur  in  the  S.  W. 

2.  PAR  US,  Linnaeus.     CHICKADEES. 

1.  P.  atricapilluSf  L.  TITMOUSE.  BLACK -CAPPED 
CHICKADEE.  Grayish  ash;  wings  and  tail  plain  with 
whitish  edging;  crown,  nape,  chin  and  throat  black; 
no  white  superciliary  line;  L.  5;  W.  £J;  T.  £J.  N.  Am.; 
abundant. 

Var.  carolinensfe,  (Aud.)  Coues.  SOUTHERN  CHICKA- 
DEE. Smaller;  tail  feathers  not  noticeably  white-edged. 
E.  U.  S.;  southerly. 


52  BIEDS. 

2.  P.  hudsonicuSf  Forster.  HUDSONIAN  CHICKADEE. 
Olive  brown;  crown  browner;  some  pale  chestnut  below; 
a  white  superciliary  line;  L.  5;  W.  2j-;  T.  2f.  British 
America;  S.  to  Mass. 

FAMILY  XXII.  — SITTID^E. 

(The  Nuthatches.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  spurious.  Wings  long  and 
pointed,  much  longer  than  the  broad  soft  tail.  Bill  not 
notched,  rather  slender,  straight,  nearly  as  long  as  head. 
Loral  feathers  bristly;  nostrils  concealed  by  dense  tufts. 
Tarsus  scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 
Tongue  acute,  barbed.  Body  depressed;  plumage  lax, 
but  less  so  than  that  of  the  Titmice.  Active,  nimble 
little  birds,  running  up  and  down  trees,  and  hanging  in 
every  conceivable  attitude,  the  head  down  as  often  -  as 
up.  Species  twenty-five  or  thirty,  in  most  parts  of  the 
world. 

/.  SITTA,  Linnaeus.     NUTHATCHES. 

1.  S.  carolinensis,  Gm.     WHITE  -  BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 
"SAP  SUCKER."    Ashy  blue  above,  white  below;  crissum, 
etc.,  washed  with  rusty  brown;  crown  and  nape  black, 
unstriped;    midd.3   tail    feathers  like  the  back,  others 
black,  blotched  with  white;  ?  with  less  or  no  black  on 
the  head;   L.  5£;  W.  3£;  T.  2.     U.  S.;  abundant  every 
where. 

2.  S.  canadensis,  L.   RED  -  BELLIED  NUTHATCH.   Ashy 
blue,  brighter  than  the  preceding,  rusty  brown  below; 
crown  glossy  black  (5),  or  bluish  ($),  bordered  by  white 
and  black  stripes;   L.  4J;   W.  2f ;   T.  If-    U.  S.,  and 
northward. 

3.  S.    pusi//a,    Lath.      BROWN -HEADED    NUTHATCH. 
Ashy  blue;  crown  clear  brown,  a  whitish  spot  on  nape; 


TEOGLODYTID^. — XXIV.  53 

pale  rusty  below.     L.  4;  W.  2J;  T.  1J.     South  Atlantic 
States. 

FAMILY  XXIII.  —  CERTHIID^E. 

(Creepers.) 

Primaries  10,  first  less  than  half  second.  Bill  slender, 
as  long  as  head;  without  notch  or  bristles,  decurved. 
Tarsus  scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe.  Claws  all 
very  long,  curved  and  compressed.  Wings  about  as  long 
as  tail;  tail  feathers  pointed,  with  stiffened  shafts,  almost 
wood  -  pecker  like,  and  used  for  support  in  the  same  way. 
A  small  family  of  a  dozen  species,  widely  distributed. 
Habits  similar  to  those  of  the  Nuthatches,  but  the  voice 
different,  being  small  and  fine.  (The  above  diagnosis 
does  not  strictly  apply  to  some  foreign  birds  usually 
placed  in  this  family.) 

/.  CERTHIA,  Linnaeus.    BROWN  CREEPERS. 

1.  C.  familiaris,  Linn.  BROWN  CREEPER.  Plumage 
dark  brown,  much  barred  and  streaked;  rump  clear 
tawny;  L.  5|;  W.  2f ;  T.  2f.  N.  Am.  and  Europe.  A 
curious  little  bird,  recognizable  at  once  by  the  scansorial 
tail. 

FAMILY  XXIV.  — TROGLODYTID^E. 
( The  Wrens.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  but  hardly  spurious. 
Wings  rounded,  usually  about  as  long  as  the  graduated 
tail.  Bill  more  or  less  slender,  usually  elongated,  not 
notched  in  any  of  our  species.  Nostrils  oval,  uiibristled, 
overhung  by  a  scale  -  like  membrane.  No  rictal  bristles. 
Loral  feathers  bristly.  Tarsus  scutellate.  Lateral  toes 
nearly  equal ;  middle  toe  usually  united  to  half  the  basal 
joint  of  inner  toe,  and  to  the  whole  of  the  basal  joint  of 
the  outer,  or  more.  Quills  barred  in  most  of  our  species. 


54  BIKDS. 

A  large  family  of  small  birds,  chiefly  belonging' to 
Tropical  America.  Genera  about  sixteen;  species  one 
hundred  or  more.  "  Our  species  are  sprightly,  fearless 
and  impudent  little  creatures,  apt  to  show  bad  temper 
when  they  fancy  themselves  aggrieved  by  cats  or  people, 
or  any  thing  else  that  is  big  or  unpleasant  to  them;  they 
quarrel  a  good  deal,  and  are  particularly  spiteful  towards 
martins  and  swallows,  whose  homes  they  often  invade 
and  occupy.  Their  song  is  bright  and  hearty,  and  they 
are  fond  of  their  own  music;  when  disturbed  at  it  they 
make  a  great  ado  with  noisy  scolding.  Part  of  them 
(Cistothorus)  live  in  reedy  swamps  and  marshes,  where 
they  hang  astonishingly  big  globular  nests,  with  a  little 
hole  on  one  side,  on  tufts  of  rushes,  and  lay  six  or  eight 
dark  colored  eggs;  the  others  nest  any  where."  (Dr. 
Coues.)  They  are  all  plainly  colored,  behig  chiefly 
brown.  All  are  insectivorous,  and  most  of  them 
migratory. 

*  Back  nearly  uniform  in  color ,  a  conspicuous  white  superciliary 

line ;  outstretched  feet  falling  far  short  of  end  of  tail. 

THRYOTHORUS,  1. 

**  Back  barred  crosswise,  sometimes  obscurely  so ;  no  conspicu- 
ous superciliary  line;  bill  shorter  than  head;  hind  claw 
shorter  than  toe. 

f  Tail  about  as  long  as  wings.        .        .        .     TROGLODYTES,  2. 
ff  Tail  much  shorter  than  wings.        .        .        ANORTHURA,  3. 

***  Back  streaked  lengthwise,  at  least  on  shoulders;  hind  claw 
as  long  as  the  toe ;  tail  barred.  .  .  CISTOTHORUS,  4. 

/.  THRYOTHORUS,ViQi\\ot.    MOCKING  WEENS. 

*  Tail  not  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  reddish  brown  with  fine 

black  bars.    ( Thryothorus.) 

1.  T.  ludovicianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  CAROLINA  WREN. 
Clear  reddish  brown,  brightest  on  rump;  tawny  below; 


TKOGLODYTID^:. — XXIV.  55 

L.  6;  W.  2J;  T.  2J-.  E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Perm.; 
not  migratory.  A  remarkable  singer. 
**  Tail  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  mostly  black.  (Thryomanes.) 
2.  T.  bewickii,  (Aud.)  Bon.  BEWICK'S  WREN.  Grayish 
brown;  two  middle  tail  feathers  barred;  L.  5J;  W.  2i; 
T.  2J.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Penn. 

2.  TROGLODYTES,  Vieillot.  WEENS. 
1.  T.  aedon,  Vieill.  HOUSE  WEEN.  Brown,  brightest 
behind;  rusty  below;  every  where  more  or  less  waved 
with  darker,  distinctly  so  on  wings,  tail,  etc.;  L.  5;  W. 
2;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S.;  abundant  every  where;  very  variable. 
<  T.  domesticus,  (Bart.)  Coues. 

3.  ANORTHURA,  Rennie.    WINTER  WEENS. 

1.  A.  troglodytes,  (L.)  Coues.  WINTEE  WREN.  Deep 
brown,  waved  with  dusky;  belly,  wings  and  tail  strongly 
barred;  L.  4;  W.  If;  T,  1£.  N.  Am.,  northerly;  U.  S., 
in  winter,  not  common.  (T.  hyemalis^  Vieill.) 

4.  C/STOTHORUS,  Cabanis.     MARSH  WRENS. 
*  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  head ;  no  white  superciliary  line. 
(Gistotlwrus.) 

1.  C.  stellaris,  (Licht.)  Cab.     SHORT  -  BILLED  MARSH 
WREN.      Dark  brown,   head   and   back  darker;    entire 
upper  parts  with  white  streaks;    L.  4|-;   W.  If;   T.  If. 
E.  U.  S.,  in  marshes;  rather  rare. 

**  Bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  head ;  a  conspicuous  white  super- 
ciliary line.    (Telmatodytes,  Cab.) 

2.  C.  pa/ustris,  (Wilson)  Baird.    LONG  -  BILLED  MARSH 
WREN.     Clear  brown;  back  with  a  black  patch  contain- 
ing white  streaks;  otherwise  unstreaked  above;  crown 
blackish;    rump  brown;    L.   5;    W.  2;    T.   If.     U.   S.; 
abundant  in  reedy  swamps. 


56  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  XXV.  —  ALAUDID^E. 

(The  Larks.) 

First  primary  very  short  or  entirely  wanting.  Tarsus 
scutellate  in  front  and  behind  (a  character  singular 
among  Osci?ies.)  Bill  short,  of  various  forms  in  different 
species;  nostrils  concealed  by  tufts  of  antrorse  feathers. 
Hind  claw  very  long  and  nearly  straight.  Inner  secon- 
daries lengthened  and  flowing.  A  group  of  about  one 
hundred  species,  chiefly  Old  World  birds,  but  a  single 
genus  belonging  to  America;  many  of  them  are 
renowned  as  vocalists. 

*  Primaries  9;  a  little  tuft  of  lengthened  black  feathers  over  each 
ear  (sometimes  obscure  in  ?.)...    EREMOPHILA,  1. 

/.  EREMOPHILA,  Boie.     HORNED  LARKS. 

=  Otocorys,  Bonap. 

1.  E.  a/pestris,  (Forst.)  Boie.  SHORE  LARK.  Pinkish 
brown,  thickly  streaked;  a  crescent  on  breast  and  strip 
under  eye  black;  white  below;  chin,  throat,  and  line 
over  eye  more  or  less  yellow;  $  with  less  black;  winter 
birds  grayish,  with  the  markings  more  obscure;  L.  7£; 
W.  4£;  T.  3.  N.  Am.  and  Europe;  common.  A 
pleasant  singer.  [22.  cornuta,  (Wilson)  Boie.] 

FAMILY  XXVI.  — MOTACILLID^E. 

(The  Wagtails.) 

Primaries  9,  first  about  as  long  as  second;  inner 
secondaries  enlarged,  the  longest  one  about  as  long  as 
the  primaries  in  the  closed  wing.  Bill  shorter  than  the 
head,  very  slender,  straight,  acute,  notched  at  tip.  Feet 
large,  fitted  for  walking;  hind  claw  long  and  nearly 
straight,  inner  toe  cleft;  basal  joint  of  outer  toe  united 
with  middle  one.  Rictal  bristles  not  conspicuous; 
nostrils  exposed. 


SYLVICOLIDufE. — XXVII.  57 

A  group  of  about  one  hundred  species,  mostly  of  the 
Old  World,  connecting  the  Alaudidce  with  the  Sylvi- 
colidce.  Most  of  them  are  terrestrial.  They  have  a 
habit  (shared  by  various  others)  of  moving  the  tail  up 
and  down,  as  if  "balancing  themselves  on  unsteady 
footing;"  hence  the  name  "Wagtail." 

*  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;    outstretched  feet 
falling  much  short  of  end  of  tail.        .        .        .     ANTHUS,  1. 

/.  ANTHUS,  Bechstein.     TITLARKS. 

1.  A.  ludovicianus,  (Gm.)  Licht.  BROWN  LARK.  TIT- 
LARK. PIPIT.  Dark  brown,  slightly  streaked;  superciliary 
line  and  under  parts  buffy;  breast  and  sides  streaked; 
outer  tail  feathers  more  or  less  white;  L.  6^-;  W.  3£;  T. 
3.  N.  Am.;  generally  abundant.  (The  Missouri  Sky- 
lark, Neocorys  spraguei,  is  a  near  relative.) 

FAMILY  XXVII.  — SYLVICOLID^E 

(TJw  Warblers) 

Primaries  9;  inner  secondaries  not  enlarged,  nor  the 
hind  toe  long  and  straight,  as  in  Alaudidce  and  Motacil- 
lidoe.  Bill  usually  rather  slender,  notched  or  not;  the 
commissure  not  angulated  at  base,  as  in  Fringillidce^ 
nor  toothed  in  the  middle,  as  in  our  Tanagrido};  the 
end  not  notched  and  abruptly  hooked,  as  in  Vireonidce 
and  Laniidcv;  the  gape  not  broad  and  reaching  to  the 
eyes,  as  in  Sirundinidcs. 

Our  warblers  are  small  birds;  all  (except  Icteria  which 
may  not  belong  here)  are  less  than  six  and  a  half  inches 
in  length,  and  very  many  are  less  than  five.  The  rictus 
is  generally  bristled,  but  in  several  of  our  genera  it  is 
not.  The  colors  are  usually  brilliant  and  variegated,  but 
the  sexes  are  unlike,  and  the  variations  due  to  age  and 
season  are  great,  so  that  the  study  of  -the  species  is 


58  BIRDS. 

often  very  difficult.  Many  of  the  Warblers  are  pleasing 
songsters,  but  none  exhibit  any  remarkable  powers  in 
that  line.  All  are  insectivorous  and  migratory. 

This  family  consists  of  more  than  a  hundred  species, 
chiefly  North  American,  and  embraces  quite  a  wide 
variety,  so  that  the  group  can  perhaps  be  only  distin- 
guished negatively.  The  SylvicolidcB  grade  perfectly 
into  the  Tanagridce  and  Coerebidoe^  and  probably  the 
three  families,  and  perhaps  the  FringilUd^  also,  should 
be  merged  into  one.  Our  species  are  divisible  into 
three  very  distinct  sub  -  families,  indicated  below. 

I.  Bill  slender,  not  hooked,  as  high  as  wide  at  base,  with  short 
bristles  not  reaching  much  beyond  nostrils,  or  none ;  wings 
longer  than  tail  (except  Geothlypis) ;  length  6i  or  less.  True 
"Warblers.  (SYLVICOLIEMS.) 

*  Tail  feathers,  some  or  all  of  them  blotched  with  white. 
f  Rictus  with  evident  bristles. 

i  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  entirely  black 
and  white,  streaked.        .        .       .        MNIOTILTA,  1. 

#  Tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

a.  Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  its  claw;  bill  acute, 
scarcely  notched ;  bluish,  throat  and  middle  of  back 

with  yellow. PARULA,  2. 

aa.  Bill  very  acute,  notched,  perceptibly  decurved,  so 

that  the  gonys  is  slightly  concave ;  rump  and  under 

parts  chiefly  yellow.        .        .        PERISSOGLOSSA,  6. 

aaa.  Warblers  without  above  characters.     DENDRCECA,  7. 

ft  Rictus  without  evident  bristles. 

6.  Whole  head  and  neck  bright  yellow ;  bill  notched,  half 
inch  or  more  long.        .        .        .      PROTONOTARIA,  3. 
lib.  Whole  head   and   neck   not  yellow;   bill   acute,    not 
notched  nor  bristled,  less  than  half  inch  long. 

HELMINTHOPHAGA,  5. 

**Tail  feathers  yellow  on  inner  webs;   outer  webs  dusky; 
plumage  chiefly  yellow.        .       .        .        DENDRCECA,  7. 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVXI.  59 

***  Tail  feathers  all  unmarked ;  same  color  on  both  webs. 

c.  Conspicuously  streaked  below;  head  plain  or  with  two 
black  stripes ;  legs  long.         .        .        .         SEIURUS,  8. 

cc.  Not  streaked  below. 

d.  Wings  about  as  long  as  tail ;    chiefly  yellow  below ; 
crown  (of  $)  black  or  ashy ;  legs  strong. 

GEOTHLYPIS,  10. 
dd.  Wings  decidedly  longer  than  tail. 

e.  Bill  not  notched,  half  inch  or  more  long;  head  plain 
or  with  four  black  stripes.        .       HELMITHERUS,  4. 

ee.  Bill  less  than  half  an  inch  long. 

/.  Bill  notched ;  wings  more  than  21 ;  crown  plain  or 
with  black OPORORNIS,  9. 

ff.  Bill  not  notched,  nor  bristled,  very  acute ;  wings  less 
than  2% ;  crown  plain  or  with  a  bright  spot. 

HELMINTHOPHAGA,  5. 

II.  Bill  rather  stout,  not  notched,  hooked  nor  bristled ;  tail  longer 

than  wings;  length  7  to  8.    Chats.    (!CTERIN^E.) 

ICTERIA,  II. 

III.  Bill  depressed,  broader  at  base  than  high,  notched  and  some- 
what hooked,  with  strong  rictal  bristles  half  the  length  of 
bill ;  wings  longer  than  tail ;  length  5i  or  less.    Fly-catching 
Warblers.    (SETOPHAGIN^E.) 

a.  Bill  fully  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base ;  tail  feathers  un- 
marked, or  blotched  with  white.        .        MYIODIOCTES,  12. 

aa.  Bill  scarcely  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base ;  tail  marked 
with  orange  or  yellow.         .        .         .        SETOPHAGA,  13. 

/.  MMOTILTA,  Vieillot.     CREEPING  WARBLERS. 

1.  /Iff.  varia,  (L.)  Vieill.  BLACK  AND  WHITE  CREEPER. 
Entirely  black  and  white,  streaked;  crown  with  a  broad 
white  stripe;  white  wing  bars;  $  grayer;  L.  5;  W.  2f; 
T.  2£.  E.  U.  S.;  a  neat  bird,  with  some  of  the  habits  of 
a  Nuthatch. 


60  BIEDS. 

2.    PAR U LA,    Bonaparte.      BLUE    YELLOW  -  BACKED 

WARBLERS. 
=  C Moris,  Boie. 

=  Sylvicola,  Sw.  (Preoccupied  in  Mollusks.) 
1.  P.  americana,  (L.)  Bon.  BLUE  YELLOW- BACKED 
WARBLER.  Clear  ashy  blue;  back  with  a  large  golden- 
green  patch;  yellow  below,  belly  white;  a  brown  band 
across  breast;  white  wing  bars.  $  obscurely  marked;  L. 
4£;  W.  2£;  T.  2.  Miss.  Valley  and  E.  One  of  our  most 
elegant  species,  inhabiting  tree-tops. 

3.  PROTONOTARIA,^\r&.  GOLDEN  SWAMP  WARBLERS. 
1.  P.  citrcea,  (Bodd.)  Bd.  PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER. 
GOLDEN  -  HEADED  WARBLER.  Front  and  lower  parts 
brilliant  yellow;  back,  wings,  etc.,  olivaceous;  bill  long; 
L.  5i;  W.  3;  T.  2±.  U.  S.,  southward;  N.  to  Wabash 
Valley,  in  bushy  swamps,  rather  rare,  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  of  our  birds. 

4.  HELMITHERUS,  Rafinesque.     SWAMP  WARBLERS. 

1.  H.  verm  Ivor  us,  (Gm.)  Bon.  WORM-EATING  SWAMP 
WARBLER.  Olive  gree  head  yellowish,  with  four  black 
stripes;  buffy  below;  ?  similar;  L.  5J;  W.  3;  T.  £•£.  E. 
U.  S.;  N.  to  L.  Erie. 

5.   HELMINTHOPHAGA,   Cabanis.     WORM -EATING 

WARBLERS. 
*  Tail  feathers  conspicuously  blotched  with,  white. 

1.  H.  chrysoptera,  (L.)  Bd.     BLUE  GOLDEN- WINGED 
WARBLER.     Ashy  blue;  forehead,  crown  and  wing  bars 
bright   yellow;   throat   and   broad   stripe   through    eye, 
black,  white  below;  $  duller;  L.  5;  W.  2|;  T.  2±.     S.E. 
States,  rather  rare;  N.  to  Green  Bay;  a  beautiful  species. 

2.  H.  pinus,  (L.)  Bd.    BLUE  -WINGED  YELLOW  WARE  - 


SYLVICOLID^J. — XXVII.  61 

LEE.     Olive  yellow;   crown  and  all  under  parts  bright 
yellow;  wing  bars  whitish;  loral  strip  black;  $  similar; 
L.  4J;  W.  2i;  T.  2.     S.  E.  States,  N.  to  N.  Y.     A  hand- 
some bird,  like  a  miniature  Protonotaria. 
**  Tail  feathers  without  white  blotches. 

3.  H.  ruficapilla,  (Wils.)  Bd.     NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  ashy  on  head  and  neck;  crown  patch  bright 
chestnut,  more  or  less  concealed;  bright  yellow  below; 
lores  and  orbital  ring  pale;  £  duller,  crown  patch  obscure; 
L.  4f ;  W.  &J;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

4.  H.  celata,  (Say.)  Bd.    ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  never  ashy  on  head;    crown  patch  orange 
brown,  more  or  less  concealed;  greenish  yellow  below; 
$  duller,  sometimes  without  crown  patch;  L.  4f ;  W.  2-$i 
T.  2.     Miss.  Valley,  S.  &  W.;  rare  E. 

5.  H.  peregrina,  (Wils.)  Cab.     TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 
Olive  green;  no  crown  patch;  white  or  slightly  yellowish 
below;  L.  4|;  W.  2f ;  T.  If.     E.  U.  S.,  not  common. 

6.    PERISSOGLOSSA,    Baird.     FRINGED    TONGUE 
WARBLERS. 

1.  P.  tigrina,  (Gm.)  Bd.  CAPE  MAY  WARBLER. 
Olivaceous  above  with  darker  streaks;  rump  and  sides 
of  neck  bright  yellow;  yellow  below,  much  streaked  with 
black;  crown  black  or  nearly  so;  ear  coverts  orange 
brown,  a  white  wing  patch;  $  duller,  with  no  black  or 
reddish  about  head;  L.  5J;  W.  2f;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S., 
rather  rare.  A  fine  species  with  a  peculiar  structure  of 
the  tongue,  which  is  somewhat  as  in  Ccerebiclce. 

7.  DENDRCECA,  Gray.    WOOD  WARBLERS.' 
A  large    genus  comprising    about    thirty  species    of 
brightly   colored   little   birds,   all  American,  and   very 
abundant  in  the  United  States  during  the  migrations. 


62  BIEDS. 

Our  species,  though  well  marked,  are  often  difficult  to 
determine  when  not  in  full  plumage.  The  tail  feathers 
are  always  marked  with  white  or  yellow,  and  the  bill  is 
but  moderately  pointed,  notched  and  with  evident 
bristles  at  the  rictus. 

The  following  artificial  analysis,  partially  borrowed 
from  Coues3  key  to  the  genus,  will  generally  enable  the 
student  to  distinguish  specimens. 

*  Tail  feathers  edged  with  yellow ;  plumage  chiefly  yellow. 

(Estiva,  1. 
**  Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white. 

f  A  white  blotch  on  the  primaries  near  their  bases ;  no  wing 

bars cce-rulescem,  2. 

ff  No  white  blotch  on  primaries ;  wing  bars,  if  present,  not  white. 

White  below ;  crown  and  wing  patch  more  Or  less  yellow. 

pennsylvanica,  6. 
Yellow  below ;  sides  reddish-streaked ;  crown  reddish. 

palmarum,  15. 
Yellow  below,  sides  black-streaked. 

Back  olive  with  reddish  spots.    .        .        .     discolor,  12. 

Back  ashy Mrtlancli,  11. 

fff  No  white  blotch  on  primaries  ;  wing  bars  or  wing  patch 

white. 
\  Rump  yellow:  —crown  clear  ash;  yellow  and  streaked 

below maculosa,  4. 

— Crown    with    yellow   spot ;    white  and 
streaked  below.  .         coronata,  3. 

$  Rump  not  yellow. 

Crown  with  orange  or  yellow  spot;  throat  orange  or  yellow. 

blacteburnicB,  9. 

Crown  black ;  no  distinct  yellow  any  where :  much  streaked. 

striata,  8. 

Crown  blue  or  greenish,  like  the  back ;  no  definite  yellow. 

ccerulea,  5. 

Crown  chestnut,  like  the  throat;  no  definite  yellow ;  buffy 
below. .         castanea,  7. 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII.  63 

• 

Crown  bluish  or  yellowish,  not  as  above— some  yellow. 
Throat   black   (sometimes  obscured  by  yellow  tips  to 
feathers) ;  outer  tail  feather  white-edged.       wrens,  13. 
Throat  yellow;  —back  ashy  blue;  cheeks  black. 

dominica,  10. 

—back 'yellowish  olive;  cheeks  same. 

pinus,  14. 

We  copy  from  Coues'  key  the  following  valuable 

DIAGNOSTIC  MARKS  OF  WARBLERS  IN  ANY  PLUMAGE. 
A  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries.  .  .  .  ccerulescens,  2. 
Wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yellow.  .  .  (estiva,  I. 
Wing  bars  and  belly  yellow.  .  ,  .  .  discolor,  12. 
Wing  bars  yellow  and  belly  pure  white.  .  pennsylvanica,  6. 
Wing  bars  white  and  tail  spots  oblique,  at  end  of  two  outer 

feathers  only pinus,  14. 

Wing  bars  brownish ;  tail  spots  square  at  end  of  two  outer  feathers 

only.      .  palmarwn,  15. 

Wing  bars  not  evident  ( ?) ;  whole  under  parts  yellow ;  back  with 

no  greenish kirtlandi,  11. 

Tail  spots  at  end  of  nearly  all  the  feathers,  and  no  definite  yellow 

any  where carulea,  5. 

Tail  spots  at  middle  of  nearly  all  the  feathers ;  rump  and  belly 

yellow maculosa,  4. 

Rump,  sides  of  breast  (usually)  and  crown  with  yellow ;  throat 

white coronata,  3. 

Throat  definitely  yellow;  belly  white;  back  with  no  greenish. 

dominica,  10. 

Throat  yellow  or  orange ;  crown  with  at  least  a  trace  of  a  central 
yellow  or  orange  spot,  and  outer  tail  feather  white-edged 
externally Uackburnice,  9. 

Throat,  breast  and  sides  black,  or  with  black  traces  (seen  on  part- 
ing the  feathers);  sides  of  head  with  diffuse  yellow;  outer 
tail  feather  white-edged  externally.  .  .  .  wrens,  13. 

With  none  of  the  foregoing  special  marks. 

striata  8  or  castanea  7  . 


64  BIRDS. 

1.  D.  (Estiva,  (Gm.)  Bd.    SUMMER  WARBLER.    GOLDEN 
WARBLER.     Chiefly  golden  yellow;    back  olive  yellow; 
breast   and    sides   with    orange   brown    streaks;    quills 
dusky,  edged  with  yellow;  $  similar,  scarcely  streaked; 
L.  5£;  W.  2J;  T.  2£.     America;  everywhere  abundant. 

2.  D.  ccerulescens,  (L.)  Bd.     BLACK  -  THROATED  BLUE 
WARBLER.      Rich  gray  blue,  with   a  few  dusky  streaks 
on  back;  throat,  sides  of  head,  neck  and  sides  of  body 
black,  otherwise  pure  white  below;  quills  black,  edged 
with  blue;  $  dull  olive  greenish,  obscurely  marked,  known 
by  the  blotch  on  the  primaries;    L.  5|;  W.  2f;  T.  2£. 
E.  U.  S.;  an  elegant  species,  not  uncommon  in  woodland. 

3.  D.  coronaia,  (L.)  Gray.     YELLOW  -  RUMPED  WARE  - 
LER.     MYRTLE  WARBLER.     Bluish  ash  above,  streaked 
with  black;    white  below  with  large  blackish  streaks; 
crown  patch,  rump  and  sides  of  breast  bright  yellow, 
there  being  four  definite  yellow  places;    ?  and  young 
brownish,  with  less  yelloV  on  breast  and  head;  L.  5|; 
W.   3;    T.  2J-.      U.   S.,    very   abundant.      The   earliest 
migrant. 

4.  D.   maculosa,   (Gm.)   Bd.      BLACK   AND  YELLOW 
WARBLER.      MAGNOLIA  WARBLER.      Back  black,  with 
olive  skirtings;  rump  yellow;  head  clear  ash;    a  white 
stripe  behind  eye;    sides  of   head    black,  under    parts 
(except  the  white  crissum)  rich  yellow,  with  black  streaks 
which  are  confluent  on  breast;  ?  similar,  more  olivaceous, 
with  much  less  black;    L.  5;  W.  2J-;  T.  2£.      E.  U.  S. 
A  brilliant  little  bird,  common  in  woodlands. 

5.  D.  carulea,  (Wils.)  Bd.     CERULEAN   WARBLER. 
Bright  blue  with  black  streaks;  white  below;  breast  and 
sides  with  bluish  lines;  $  not  streaked,  greenish  above, 
slightly  yellowish  below;  L.  4£;  W.  2J;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.; 
N.  to  Niagara  Falls;  rather  rare.     A  dainty  species. 


SYLVICOLID^. — XXVII.  65 

6.  D.    pennsylvanica,    (L.)    Bd.      CHESTNUT  -  SIDED 
WAKBLER.      Blackish   above ;    much    streaked ;    crown 
clear  yellow;  black  patch  about  eye;  pure  white  below; 
a  line  of  bright  chestnut  streaks  along  sides;  wing  patch 
yellowish  (never   clear  white);   $  similar  but  with  less 
chestnut  and  black;    L.   5;  W.   2£;   T.  2£.     E.  U.   S.j 
abundant,  especially  northward.     A  pretty  species. 

7.  D.  casfanea,  (Wils.)  Bd.    BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 
AUTUMN   WARBLER.      Back    black   and   olive;    thickly 
streaked;  forehead  and  sides  of  head  black  enclosing  a 
deep  chestnut  crown  patch;  chin,  throat  and  sides,  dull 
chestnut,  otherwise  pale  buffy  below;  $  more  olivaceous 
with  less  chestnut;  young  scarcely  distinguishable  from 
striataj  L.  5;  W.  3;  T.  2J.    E.  U.  S.    Not  very  common. 

8.  D.  striatUf   (Forst.)  Bd.     BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 
Black  and  olivaceous,  almost  every  where  streaked;  whole 
crown  pure  black;  $  more  olivaceous,  slightly  yellowish 
below;  rather  large;  L.  5f;  W.  3;  T.  2±.     E.  U.  S.;  the 
last  to  migrate.      "When    the  Black -Polls  appear  in 
force,  the  collecting  season  is  about  over,"     (Cones.) 

9.  D.  blackburnice,  (Gm.)  Bd.      ORANGE  -  THROATED 
WARBLER.        BLACKBURNIAN     WARBLER.        HEMLOCK 
WARBLER.      Black  above  with  whitish  streaks;  crown 
patch,   superciliary  line,  sides  of  neck  and  the  whole 
throat  brilliant  orange  or  flame  color,  fading  into  yellow- 
ish on  the  belly;  $  similar,  but  olive  and  bright  yellow 
instead  of  black  and  orange;  L.  5J;  W.  2f ;  T.  2£.     E. 
U.  S. ;  abundant  among  the  tree-tops.    The  most  brilliant 
species. 

10.  D.  dominion,  (L.)  Bd.    YELLOW-THROATED  WARB- 
LER.     Ashy  blue;    throat   bright  yellow;    belly  white; 
cheeks  black ;    superciliary  line   white  or  yellowish  in 
front;   L.  5;   W.  2f:   T.  2$.      Southern  States;  N.  to 


66  BIRDS. 

Perm.,   Central   Indiana  and   Kansas;   rare  northward. 
A  neat,  plain  species,  with  the  habits  of  a  creeper. 

11.  D.  kirtlandi,  Bd.     KIRTLAND'S  WAKBLEE.     Ashy 
blue  above;  yellow  and  streaked  below;  lores  black;  L. 
5};    W.  2f;  T.  2f.     Ohio  and  the  Bahamas.     Two  or 
three  specimens  known. 

12.  D.  discolor,  (Vieill.)  Bd.   PRAIRIE  WARBLER.  Olive 
yellow;    back   with   a   patch   of    red    spots;    forehead, 
superciliary   line,   wing   bars   and   under    parts    bright 
yellow;    streaked  below;    sides  of   head  with  black;    $ 
similar;  L.  4f ;  W.  S&i;  T.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Mass,  and 
Ills.;  chiefly  in  evergreen  thickets.     An  elegant  species. 

13.  D.  virenSf  (Gm.)  Bd.     BLACK  -  THROATED  GREEN 
WARBLER.      Clear    yellow   olive;    sides   of    head   rich 
yellow;    whole  throat  and  breast   jet  black,  the  color 
extending  along  the  sides;  otherwise  whitish  below;  $ 
and  winter  birds  with  the  black  interrupted  or  veiled 
with  yellowish;  L.  5;  W.  2J;  T.  2%.     E.  U.  S.;  abundant. 

14.  D.  pinus,  (Wils.)  Bd.     PINE-CREEPING  WARBLER. 
Yellow  olive  above;  under  parts  and  superciliary  line 
yellow;  no  sharp  markings  any  where;  ?  more  grayish; 
L.  5f ;  W.  3;  T.  2J.     E.   U.   S.,  N.  to  Mass,  and  L. 
Superior;  abundant  in  evergreen  forests. 

15.  D.  palmarum,  (Gm.)   Bd.      YELLOW   RED- POLL 
WARBLER.      PALM  WARBLER.      Brownish  olive  above, 
somewhat  streaked,  rump  brighter;  crown  bright  chest- 
nut; superciliary  line  and  under  parts  yellow  with  brown 
streaks;  no  wing  bars;  $  similar;  L.  5;  W.  2f ;  T.  2%. 
E.  N.  A. ;   abundant ;    terrestrial ;    less  beautiful  than 
most  of  the  group. 

8.  SEIURUS,  Swainson.     WATER  THRUSHES. 
1.    S.   aurocapilluSt    (L.)    Sw.      GOLDEN  -  CROWNED 
THRUSH.      OVEN-BIRD.      Bright    olive    green,    white 


SYLVICOLID^E. — XXVII.  67 

below,  sharply  spotted  on  breast  and  sides,  after  the, 
fashion  of  the  Thrushes;  crown  orange  brown,  with  two 
black  stripes;  L.  6£;  W.  3;  T.  2$.  U.  S.;  abundant  in 
woodland,  spending  most  of  its  time  on  the  ground,  like 
the  other  species  of  this  genus,  and  the  next  two;  re- 
markable for  its  loud,  ringing  song,  and  its  curious  oven- 
shaped  nest;  the  largest  of  the  true  Warblers. 

2.  S.  noveboracensis,  (Gm.)  Nutt.    WATER  WAGTAIL. 
WATER  THRUSH.     Dark  olive  brown  above,  pale  yellow- 
ish beneath,  thickly  spotted  every  where  with  the  color 
of  the  back;  a  yellowish  superciliary  line;  bill  about  a 
half  inch  long;  feet  dark;  L.  6;  W.  3;  T.  2$.     N.  Am.; 
abundant  in  low  thickets;  moves  its  tail  like  a  Wagtail. 

3.  S.  motac///a,  (Vieill.)  Bon.     LARGE  -  BILLED  WATER 
THRUSH.     Same  general  color  as  last,  but  white  or  pale 
buffy  below,  and  less  sharply  spotted;  bill  much  larger, 
about  f  inch;  feet  pale;   larger;  L.  6J;  W.  3±;  T.  2£. 
E.  U.  S.,   scarce;    N.   to   Mass.   (Allen)   and  N.  Wis. 
(Jordan.)     (S.  ludomcianus^  authors.) 

9.  OPORORNIS,  Baird.    NIMBLE  WARBLERS. 

1.  0.    agilis,   (Wils.)   Bd.      CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 
Olive  green,  ashy  on  head;  throat  and  breast  brownish 
ash,  otherwise  yellow  below;  no  sharp  markings;  in  fall 
more  olivaceous;  L.  5f ;  W.  3;  T.  2%.     E.  U.  S.,  rare;  a 
shy,  quiet  bird. 

2.  0.  formosuSr  (Wils.)  Bd.      KENTUCKY  WARBLER. 
Clear  olive  green,  bright  yellow  below;  crown  and  sides 
of  head  and  neck  black,  with  a  rich  yellow  superciliary 
stripe,  which  bends  around  the  eye  behind;  L.  5f ;  W.  3; 
T.  2^.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly,  N.  to  Wis.  and  Conn.; 
in  low  thickets,  not  generally  common;  a  handsome  and 
active  species. 


68  BIRDS. 

10.  GEOTHLYPIS,  Cabanis.    GROUND  WARBLEES. 

1.  G.  tr/chaSf  (L.)  Cab.    MARYLAND  YELLOW  THROAT. 
BLACK  -  MASKED  GROUND  WARBLER.     Olive  green ;  fore- 
head and  broad  mask  extending  down  sides  of  head  and 
neck  jet  black,  bordered  behind  with  clear  ash;  under 
parts  yellow,  clear  on  throat  and  breast;    $  obscurely 
marked,  without  black  mask  and  with  less  yellow;  L.  4J; 
W.  2£;    T.  2£.     U.  S.,  abundant  in  thickets;  a  pretty 
bird  with  a  lively  song. 

2.  G.  Philadelphia,  (Wils.)  Bd.     MOURNING  WARBLER. 
Bright  olive,  clear  yellow  below;  head  ashy;  throat  and 
breast    black,    the    feathers    usually    ashy  -  skirted    (as 
though  the  bird  wore  crape,  hence    "  Mourning  Warb- 
ler"); $  and  $  not  in  full  plumage  almost  exactly  like 
O.  agillS)  but  the  tail  as  long  as  wings;  L.  5|;  W.  2£; 
T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  rather  rare,  in  dense  thickets. 

//.  ICTERIA,  Vieillot.    YELLOW  -  BREASTED  CHATS. 

1.  /.  virens,  (L.)  Bd.  YELLOW  -  BREASTED  CHAT. 
Olive -green;  throat  and  breast  bright  yellow;  belly 
abruptly  white;  lores  black,  a  white  superciliary  line; 
wings  and  tail  plain;  tarsus  almost  booted;  L.  7£;  W. 
3i;  T.  3J.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to  Mass,  and  Wis.  (Cope- 
land.)  A  loud,  quaint  songster,  often  placed  with  the 
Vireosy  but  having  little  affinity  with  any  of  our  groups. 

12.  MYIODIOCTES,  Audubon.  FLY-CATCHING  WARBLERS. 

=  Wilsoma,  Nuttall  (used  in  Botany). 
1.  M.  mitratus,  (Gm.)  Aud.  HOODED  FLY -CATCHING 
WARBLER.  YELLOW-  MASKED  WARBLER.  Bright  yellow- 
olive,  crown  and  neck  all  around  jet  black,  enclosing  a 
broad  golden  mask;  under  parts  from  the  breast  bright 
yellow;  tail  with  white  blotches;  $  olive  instead  of 


c  —  XXVIII.  69 


black;  L.  5;  W.  2f  ;  T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  southerly;  N.  to 
L.  Erie;  a  singular  species. 

2.  Af.  pusillus,  (Wils.)  Bonap.    GREEN  BLACK-CAPPED 
FLY-CATCHING  WARBLER.      Clear  yellow-olive;  crown 
glossy  black;  forehead,  lores,  sides  of  head  and  entire 
under  parts  bright  yellow;  wings  and  tail  unblotched;  $ 
with  less  black;  L.  4f;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.    U.  S.;  abundant. 

3.  M.  canadensis,  (L.)  And.    CANADA  FLY  -  CATCHING 
WARBLER.      Bluish  ash;   crown   speckled   with   black; 
under  parts  (except  white  crissum)  clear  yellow;  lores 
black,  continuous  with  black  under  the  eye,  and  this 
passing  as  a  chain  of  black  streaks  down  the  side  of  the 
jieck  and  encircling  the  breast  like  a  necklace;  wings 
and  tail  plain;  $  similar,  with  less  black;  L.  5£;  W.  2f  ; 
T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  to  the  Missouri,  frequent.     One  of  the 
handsomest  Warblers. 

13.  SETOPHAGA,  Swainson.    AMERICAN  REDSTARTS. 

1.  $.  ruticiila,  (L.)  Sw.  REDSTART.  Black;  sides  of 
breast  and  large  blotches  on  wings  and  tail  orange-red; 
belly  white,  reddish  tinged;  ?  olive,  similarly  marked 
with  reddish  yellow;  L.  5i;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.  E.  U.  S., 
very  abundant.  A  handsome  and  active  Fly-Catcher. 

FAMILY  XXVIII.  —  TAN  AGRID^E. 

(The  Tanagers.) 

Primaries  9;  bill  usually  conical,  sometimes  depressed 
or  attenuated,  the  culmen  curved;  cutting  edges  not 
much  inflected,  sometimes  toothed,  notched  or  serrated; 
tarsus  scutellate.  Legs  short;  claws  long;  colors  usually 
brilliant.  A  large  family  of  three  hundred  or  more 
species,  confined  to  the  warmer  parts  of  America,  and 
embracing  a  wide  diversity  of  forms.  Some  have  slender 
bills  and  are  scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  Warblers. 


70  BIEDS. 

Others,  like  our  Pyranga^  have  stout  conical  bills  and  are 
very  closely  related  to  the  Finches.  The  single  North 
American  genus  has  a  stout,  sparrow  -  like  bill,  notched 
at  the  tip,  and  more  or  less  evidently  toothed  or  lobed 
near  the  middle  of  the  upper  mandible. 

/.  PYRANGA,Viei\lot.    FIRE  TANAGERS. 

1.  P.  rubra,  (L.)  Vieill.   SCARLET  TANAGER.   $  brilliant 
scarlet;  wings  and  tail  black,  no  wing  bars;  ?  clear  olive 
green;  clear  greenish  yellow  below;  L.  7£;  W.  4;  T.  3. 
E.  U.  S.;  abundant  in  woodland;  a  respectable  songster. 

2.  P.   oestsva,  (L.)  Vieill.      SUMMER   RED   BIRD.      $ 
bright  rose  red  throughout;  wings  a  little  dusky;  $  dull 
brownish  olive,  dull  yellowish  below;  no  wing  bars;  bill 
and  feet  paler  than  in  P.  rubra;  size  of  last.     E.  U.  S., 
chiefly  southerly;  N.  to  N.  J.  and  Ills.;  abundant. 

FAMILY  XXIX.  — HIRUNDINID.E. 

(The  Swallows.} 

Primaries  9;  bill  "  fissirostral,"  i.  e.,  short,  broad,  tri- 
angular, depressed,  the  gape  wide  and  about  twice  as 
long  as  the  culmen,  reaching  to  about  opposite  the  eyes. 
Wings  very  long  and  pointed,  the  first  primary  usually 
longest,  and  twice  as  long  as  the  last;  secondaries  very 
short.  Tail  more  or  less  forked.  Feet  weak;  tarsus 
scutellate,  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Plumage 
compact,  and  more  or  less  lustrous. 

A  very  natural  family  of  about  one  hundred  species, 
found  all  over  the  world.  All  are  strong  on  the  wing, 
insectivorous,  and  usually  migratory. 

*  Plumage  above  more  or  less  lustrous  blue-black  or  green ;  no 
tarsal  tuft  nor  recurved  hooks  on  outer  primary. 

f  Tail  deeply  forked;  outer  feathers  attenuate  and  blotched  with 
white HIBUNDO,  1. 


HIEUNDINID^E. — XXIX.  71 

f f  Tail  scarcely  forked ;  rump  and  forehead  not  colored  like  the 

back PETROCHELIDON,  3. 

fff  Tail  somewhat  forked  ,   unblotched ;  rump  and  forehead 

colored  like  the  back. 
a.  Lustrous  green  or  violaceous;  pure  white  below;  length 

less  than  6i TACHYCINETA,  2. 

aa.  Lustrous  blue-black ;  ?  paler  and  wrhitish  below ;  length 

more  than  6i.  .     PROGNE,  6. 

**  Plumage  brownish-gray;  scarcely  lustrous  and  without  shades 

of  blue  or  green. 
&.  A  little  tuft  of  feathers  on  tarsus  at  base  of  hind  toe;  edge  of 

wing  smooth. COTYLE,  4. 

&&.  Outer  web  of  first  primary  more  or  less  saw-like,  with  a 
series  of  minute  recurved  hooks ;  no  tarsal  tuft. 

STELGIDOPTERYX,  5. 

/.  HIRUNDO,  Linnaeus.  SWALLOWS. 
1.  H.  horreorum,  Barton.  BARN  SWALLOW.  Lustrous 
steel-blue,  pale  chestnut  below ;  forehead  and  throat 
deep  chestnut;  an  imperfect  steel-blue  collar;  tail  very 
deeply  forked;  L.  7;  W.  5;  T.  4£.  N.  Am.,  abundant; 
breeding  in  colonies  about  barns,  etc. 

2.  TACHYCINETA,  Cabanis.  WHITE- BELLIED  SWALLOWS. 
1.  T.  bicolor,  (Vieill.)  Coues.  WHITE  -  BELLIED  SWAL- 
LOW. Lustrous  green,  pure  white  below;  ?  duller;  L. 
6i;  W.  5;  T.  2f.  N.  Am.,  abundant  about  water, 
nesting  in  trees,  etc.;  a  handsome  swallow. 

3.  PETROCHELIDON,  Cabanis.  CLIFF  SWALLOWS. 
1.  P.  lunifrons,  (Say.)  Cab.  CLIFF  SWALLOW.  EAVE 
SWALLOW.  Lustrous  steel  blue;  forehead,  sides  of  head, 
throat,  rump,  etc.,  of  various  shades  of  chestnut;  a  blue 
spot  on  breast,  belly  whitish;  L.  5£;  W.  4£;  T.  2£.  N. 
Am.,  abundant,  formerly  nesting  in  cliffs,  but  now  under 
the  eaves  of  barns,  etc. 


72  BIEDS. 

4.  COTYLE,  Boie.     BANK  SWALLOWS. 
1.  C.   r/paria,   (L.)   Boie.     BANK  SWALLOW.     SAND 
MARTIN.      Dark   gray,  not   iridescent,  white   below,   a 
brown  shade  across  the  breast;  L.  4f ;  W.  4;  T.  2.     N. 
Am.,  abundant,  breeding  in  holes  in  sandbanks,  etc. 

5.    STELGIDOPTERYX,   Baird.      ROUGH -WINGED 
SWALLOWS. 

1.  S.  serr/penn/s,  (Aud.)  Bd.  ROUGH -WINGED 
SWALLOW.  Brownish  gray;  wing  hooks  weak  in  $;  L. 
5i;  W.  4-J;  T.  2|.  U.  S.,  not  common,  rare  eastward, 
breeding  in  banks,  etc. 

6.  PROGNE,  Boie.     MARTINS. 

1.  P.  sub/Sf  (L.)  Bd.  PURPLE  MARTIN.  Lustrous 
blue -black  throughout;  ?  duller,  whitish  and  streaky 
below;  bill  stout,  almost  hooked;  L.  7£;  W.  6;  T.  o|. 
N.  Am.,  abundant.  (P.  purpurea,  Auct.) 

FAMILY  XXX.  — AMPELID^E. 

(The  Chatterers.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  9,  the  first  sometimes 
rudimentary  and  displaced;  bill  stout,  triangular,  de- 
pressed, decidedly  notched  and  hooked,  with  the  gape 
very  wide.  Nostrils  overhung  by  membrane  covered 
with  bristly  feathers.  Tarsus  short,  with  the  lateral 
plates  more  or  less  subdivided,  and  often  scarcely  oscine 
in  character;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal.  As  here  con- 
stituted, a  small  group  of  six  or  eight  species,  the 
MyidestincB  usually  brought  into  this  connection  being 
really  TurdidcB^  as  shown  by  Prof.  Baird.  There  are 
two  sub  -  families,  bearing  but  little  resemblance  to  each 
other, — Ptilogonydince,  of  the  warmer  parts  of  N. 
America,  and  AmpelinoB^  of  the  northern  parts  of  both 
hemispheres. 


VIREONID^E. — XXXI.  73 

The  Ampelince  constitute  a  single  genus  of  three 
species.  All  are  crested  birds  with  a  soft  plumage  of  a 
handsome  cinnamon  drab  color;  the  ends  of  the  secon- 
daries, and  sometimes  of  the  tail  feathers,  also,  are 
tipped  with  horny  appendages,  looking  like  red  sealing- 
wax. 

The  tail  is  short  and  square,  much  shorter  than  the 
long  wings,  and  in  our  species  it  is  tipped  with  yellow. 
The  Wax  Wings  are  migratory  and  gregarious,  feeding 
on  insects  and  soft  fruits.  Their  voices  are  weak  and 
wheezy,  and  they  can  scarcely  be  considered  as  songsters. 

/.  AMPELIS,  Linmeus.     WAX  WINGS. 

1.  A.  garru/us,  L.  BOHEMIAN  WAX  WING.  NORTHERN 
WAX  WING.     General  color  an  indescribable  silky,  ashy 
brown  with  a  red  tinge;  front  and  sides  of  head  shaded 
with  purplish  cinnamon ;  a  black  band  across  forehead 
around  head;  throat  black;  crissum  chestnut  red;   two 
broad  white  wing  bars;  L.  7^;  W.  4£;  T.  3.     Northern 
regions,  S.  in  winter  in  large  flocks  to  the  Great  Lakes; 
an  interesting  and  beautiful  bird. 

2.  A.  cedrorum,  (Vieill.)  Bd.     CEDAR  BIRD.     CHERRY 
BIRD.    SOUTHERN  WAX  WING.     Similar  but  smaller  and 
less  cinnamon-tinged,  chin  black;  strip  across  face  black, 
bordered   above  by  whitish;    belly  yellowish;    crissum 
white;  no  wing  bars;  ?  with  the  wax-like   appendages 
small   or   wanting;    L.  6|;    W.   3f ;   T.  2|.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXI.  — VIREONID^E. 

(The  Vireos.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  only  9,  the  first  being 
sometimes  rudimentary  and  displaced.  Bill  shorter  than 
head,  stout,  compressed,  decidedly  notched  and  hooked. 

4 


74  BIRDS. 

Rictus  with  bristles.  Nostrils  exposed,  overhung  by  a 
scale,  reached  by  the  bristly  frontal  feathers.  Tarsus 
scutellate;  toes  soldered  at  base  for  the  whole  length  of 
basal  joint  of  middle  one,  which  is  united  with  the  basal 
joint  of  the  inner  and  the  two  basal  joints  'of  the  outer; 
lateral  toes  usually  unequal. 

A  rather  small  family,  comprising  sixty  or  seventy 
species  of  small  olivaceous  birds,  all  American.  The 
coloration  is  usually  blended  and  varies  little  with  age 
or  sex.  All  are  insectivorous,  and  many  of  them  are 
remarkable  as  songsters. 

Concerning  the  "  nine-primaried  "  species,  Prof.  Baird 
remarks:  "In  V.  flavifrons,  in  which  the  outer  primary 
is  supposed  to  be  wanting,  its  presence  may  be  easily 
appreciated.  One  of  the  peculiar  characters  of  this 
species  consists  in  a  narrow  edging  of  white  to  all  the 
primary  quills,  while  the  primary  coverts  (the  small 
feathers  covering  their  bases,  as  distinguished  from  what 
are  usually  termed  the  wing  coverts,  which  more  properly 
belong  to  the  forearm  or  secondaries)  are  without  them. 
If  these  coverts  are  carefully  pushed  aside,  two  small 
feathers  considerably  shorter  than  the  others  will  be  dis- 
closed, one  overlying  the  other,  which  (the  under  one) 
springs  from  the  base  of  the  exposed  portion  of  the 
long  outermost  primary,  and  lies  immediately  against  its 
outer  edge.  This  small  feather  is  stiif,  falcate,  and 
edged  with  white  like  the  other  quills,  and  can  be 
brought  partly  around  on  the  inner  edge  of  the  large 
primary,  when  it  will  look  like  any  spurious  quill.  The 
overlying  feather  is  soft,  and  without  light  edge. 

In  the  other  Vireos,  with  appreciable  spurious  or  short 
outer  primary,  a  similar  examination  will  reveal  only  one 
small  feather  at  the  outer  side  of  the  base  of  the  exterior 
large  primary. 


VIREONIDJE.-  -XX  XT.  75 

In  all  the  families  of  Passeres,  where  the  existence  of 
nine  primaries  is*  supposed  to  be  characteristic,  I  have 
invariably  found,  as  far  as  my  observations  have  extend- 
ed, that  there  were  two  of  the  small  feathers  referred  to, 
while  in  those  of  ten  primaries  but  one  would  be 
detected." 

*  Wings  long  and  pointed,  i  or  more  longer  than  the  tail ;  first 

primary  very  small  or  apparently  wanting,  less  than  i  length 

of  second VIREOSYLVIA,  1. 

**  Wings  relatively  short  and  rounded,  not  one -fourth  longer 
than  the  tail ;  first  primary  f  or  more  length  of  second ;  bill 
stout .  .  •  VIREO,  2. 

/.  VIREOS  YL  VIA,  Bonaparte.     LONG  -  WINGED  VIREOS. 
<  Vireo,  Vieillot. 

*  Slender  species,  the  bill  slender,  light  horn  color,  pale  below; 

commissure  straight  and  culmen  relatively  so;  no  wing  bars 
nor  conspicuous  orbital  ring ;  feet  weak.    ( Vireosylvia, ) 
f  Primaries  apparent^  9. 

1.  /.  olivacea,  (L.)  Bon.    RED  -  EYED  VIREO.    GREEN- 
LET.     Olive  green,  crown  ashy,  edged  on  each  side  with 
blackish;    a  white   superciliary  line,   and   below  this  a 
dusky  streak;  white  below,  somewhat  olive  shaded;  eyes 
red;  L.  6;  W.  3J;  T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant  in 
woodland;  an  energetic  songster. 

2.  V.  philadelphica,  Cassin.    PHILADELPHIA  GREENLET. 
Dull  olive  green,  becoming  ashy  on   crown;  no  black 
lines  on  head;  a  whitish  superciliary  line;  below  faintly 
yellowish,  fading  to  white  on  throat,  etc.;  L.  4f ;  W.  2f ; 
T.  2J.     E.  U.  S.,  scarce. 

ft  Primaries  evidently  10. 

3.  /.  gilva,  (Vieill.)  Cass.    WARBLING  VIREO.     Colors 
exactly   as   in   the   preceding,   but    the    spurious    quill 
evident;  L.  5£;  W.  2f ;  T.  2£.     E.  N.  A.,  frequent;  an 
exquisite  songster,  nesting  in  tall  trees  in  cities,  etc. 


76  BIEDS. 

**  Stout  species  ;  the  bill  short  and  stout,  blue-black  ;  both  culmen 
and  commissure  decidedly  curved  ;  a  pale  stripe  running  from 
bill  to  and  around  eye;  white  wing  bars;  quills  blackish, 
mostly  edged  with  white  ;  feet  stout.    (Lanimreo>  Bd.) 
\  Primaries  apparently  9. 

4.  V.  flavifrons,  (Vieill.)  Baird.     YELLOW  -  THROATED 
VIREO.      Rich  olive   green    above,    becoming   ashy   on 
rump;   bright  yellow  below;   belly  white;    superciliary 
line   and   orbital    ring    yellow;    L.    5f;    W.    3;    T.   2. 
E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  a  brightly  colored  species. 

Jt  Primaries  evidently  10. 

5.  If.  so/itaria,  (Wils.)  Baird.     BLUE  -  HEADED  VIREO. 
SOLITARY  GREENLET.     Bright  olive  green;  crown  and 
sides  of  head  bluish  ash;  stripe  to  and  around  eye  white, 
a  dusky  line  below  it;  white  below,  somewhat  washed 
with  pale  yellow;  L.  5f  ;  W.  3;  T.  2£.     U.  S.,  in  wood- 
land, frequent;  a  stout,  handsome  species. 


2.  K//?£0,  Vieillot.     SHORT  -  WINGED  VIREOS. 

1.  If.   noveboracens/Sf  (Gm.)   Bonap.     WHITE  -EYED 
VIREO.      Bright  olive  green,  white   below;    sides   and 
crissum  bright  yellow;  pale  wing  bars;  stripe  from  bill 
to  and  around  eye,  yellow;  eyes  white;    L.  5;  W.  2^; 
T.  2£.   E.  U.  S.,  in  thickets;  a  sprightly  bird,  with  a  loud 
and  varied  song. 

2.  If.  belli,  Aud.    BELL'S  VIREO.     Olive-green,  yellow 
below,  chin    and    superciliary  line  whitish;  wing  bars 
whitish;  L.  4J;  W.  2|;  T.  2.     Western,  E.  to  Ills,  and 
Neb.    Resembles  V.  gilva. 

FAMILY  XXXIL—  LANIIDJE. 

(The  Shrikes.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  (rarely  wanting)  ;  bill  hawk- 
like, very  strong,  the  upper  mandible  toothed  and  ab- 


FRINGILLIDJ3. — XXXIH.  77 

ruptly  hooked  at  the   tip ;   both   mandibles   distinctly 

notched.     Wings  short,  rounded.      Tail  long.      Tarsus 

scutellate  on  the  outside  as  well  as  in  front.    Sexes  alike. 

Species  about  100,  found  in  most  parts  of  the  world, 

remarkable  for  their  energy  and  pugnacity. 

*  Rictus  with  bristles ;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  tufts ;  colors 

black,  white  and  gray COLLUKIO,  1. 

/.  COLLURIO,  Vigors.     SHRIKES. 

1.  C.   borealis,   (Vieill.)   Baird.      GREAT   NORTHERN 
SHRIKE.     BUTCHERBIRD.     Clear  bluish  ash  above;  black 
bars  on  side  of  head  not  meeting  in  front,  interrupted 
by  a  white  crescent  on  under  eyelid;  rump  and  shoulders 
whitish;  wings  black;  white  below,  waved  with  blackish; 
L.  9£;  W.  4^;  T.  4f.     Northern  regions,  S  in  winter  to 
Ohio  R.  and  Potomac. 

2.  C.   ludovicianus,  (L.)    var.    excubHoroides,    (Sw.) 
Coues.      LOGGERHEAD    SHRIKE.      Clear   ashy   blue ;    a 
whitish  superciliary  line;    black  bars  on  sides  of    head 
meeting  across  forehead;  no  crescent  on  under  eyelid; 
white  below  scarcely  or  not  dark- waved;  L.  8£;  W.  4; 
T.  4±.     Western,  E.  to  L.  Michigan  and  Ohio  R. 

FAMILY  XXXIII.  — FRINGILLID^E. 

(The  Finches) 

Primaries  9.  Tarsus  strictly  oscine.  Bill  mostly 
shorter  than  head,  robust,  of  a  conical  form,  with  the 
commissure  more  or  less  abruptly  angulated  near  its 
base;  in  other  words,  the  "corners  of  the  mouth  drawn 
down."  This  feature  is  usually  unmistakeable,  and  it  is 
almost  the  only  character  pertaining  to  all  the  members 
of  the  family.  Even  this  is  also  shared  by  the  Icteridce, 
which,  however,  may  generally  be  distinguished  by  the 
greater  length  and  slenderness  of  the  bill. 


78  BIKDS. 

A  very  large  family,  the  most  extensive  in  Ornithology, 
comprising  about  one  hundred  genera  and  five  hundred 
species,  found  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  world,  except 
Australia.  They  are  especially  abundant  in  North 
America,  where  about  one-eighth  of  all  the  birds  are 
Fringillidce.  "  Any  one  United  States  locality  of  aver- 
age attractiveness  to  birds,  has  a  bird-fauna  of  over  two 
hundred  species,  and  if  it  be  away  from  the  sea-coast, 
and  consequently  uninhabited  by  marine  birds,  about 
one-fourth  of  the  species  are  Sylvicolidce  and  Fringil- 
lidce  together,  the  latter  somewhat  in  excess  of  the 
former.  It  is  not  easy,  therefore,  to  give  undue  promi- 
nence to  these  two  families."  (Coues.) 

All  the  Finches  are  granivorous,  feeding  chiefly  on 
seeds,  but  not  rejecting  either  berries  or  insects;  nearly 
all  sing,  and  some  most  delightfully;  most  of  them  are 
plainly  clad,  a  streaky  brown  being  the  prevailing  tint, 
but  others  are  among  the  most  brilliantly  colored  birds. 
Among  these  latter  only  are  the  changes  in  plumage 
strongly  marked. 

The  following  key  to  the  genera  is  aoout  as  artificial 
.as  it  well  could  be,  but  a  more  natural  one  would  be  less 
easy  of  application,     The  characters  here  assigned  are 
seldom  truly  generic. 
*  Species  of  large  size ;  length  at  least  more  than  7£. 

f  Tail  longer  than  wings. 

a.  Conspicuously  crested,  chiefly  red  or  rosy-tinted ;  bill  very 
large,  reddish.       .  CARDINALIS,  23. 

aa.  Not  crested  ;  black  or  brown  with  chestnut  on  sides ; 
wings  and  tail  with  white;  bill  moderate,  black, 

PIPILO,  24. 
aaa.  Not  crested,  head  mostly  black;  no  white  on  tail. 

ZONOTRICHIA,  13, 
ft  Tail  shorter  than  wings. 

6.  Bill  very  large  and  stout.    ("  Grosbeaks.") 


FRLNGILL1D.E. — XXXHI,  79 

c.  Black  and  white  («?)  or  brown,  streaked  (?) ;  under  wing 

coverts  rosy  or  yellow.    .       .        .      GONIAPHEA,  20. 

cc.  Rosy  red  (<$)  or  gray  with  brownish  yellow  on  head  and 
rump  ($).      ......       PINICOLA,  2. 

ccc.  Bill  greenish  yellow,  as  long  as  tarsus ;  wings  and  tail 
black;  secondaries  mostly  white.     HESPERIPHONA,  1. 
&&.  Bill  moderate  or  small. 

d.  White,  with  black  on  wings  and  tail,  or  washed  with 

clear  brown ;  hind  toe  elongated.    PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
dd.  Streaked  above  ;  head  striped ;  tail  about  as  long  as 

wings. ZONOTRICHIA,  13. 

**  Species  of  medium  or  small  size;  length  7i  or  less. 
$  Mandibles  long  and  much  curved,  their  points  crossed ;  colors 

chiefly  red  or  olive LOXIA,  4. 

\\  Hind  claw  straightish,  twice  as  long  as  middle  claw ;  colors 
black,  white  and  brown.         .        .       PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
\\\  With  neither  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
«.  No  where  decidedly  spotted  or  streaked  (sometimes  appear- 
ing mottled  owing  to  the  darker  centers  of  the  feathers). 
/.  Blackish,  or  ashy ;  belly  and  one  to  three  outer  tail  feath- 
ers white ;  bill  pale,  without  ruff.         .       JUNCO,  17. 
ff.  Yellow,  more  or  less;  base  of  bill  with  a  small  ruff;  no 
blue ;  young  brownish.        .        .        CHRYSOMITRIS,  6. 
fff.  Chiefly  or  entirely  blue  (£),  greenish  or  plain  brown  ($). 
g.  Length  more  than  6 ;  wings  with  chestnut  or  whitish ; 
bill  stout.         .  •      .       .       .       .       GDIRACA,  21. 
gg.  Length  5  to  6 ;  gonys  usually  with  a  dusky  stripe. 

CYANOSPIZA,  22. 

ee.  Some  where  or  every  where  decidedly  spotted  or  streaked. 
h.  One  or  more  outer  tail  feathers  partly  or  wholly  white. 
i.  Hind  claw  very  long  and  nearly  straight;  colors  black 
and  white  or  brown.       .        .      PLECTROPHANES,  7. 
ii.  Hind  claw  not  specially  elongated. 
j.  Bend  of  wing  with  chestnut ;    crown  and   breast 
streaked ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings. 

POOSCETES,  10. 


80  BIRDS. 

jj.  No  chestnut  on  wing ;  breast  unstreaked ;  head  with 
black,  white  and  chestnut ;  tail  nearly  as  long  as 

wings CIIONDESTES,  12. 

lih.  Tail  feathers  rigid,   acute,   almost  scansorial  ;    small 
streaked  marsh-sparrows  with  yellow-edged  wings. 

AMMODROMUS,  11. 

JMi.  Tail  feathers  more  or  less  rounded  and  soft,  none  of 
them  white. 

k.  Wings  decidedly  longer  than  tail. 

I.  With  crimson  or  clear  (not  rusty)  red ;  a  ruff  at  base 

of  bill. 

m.  Crown  crimson ;  throat  dusky.    .     ^EGIOTHUS,  5. 

mm.  Crown,  chin,  throat  and  often  whole  plumage 

washed  with  red.    .        .    $  of  CARPODACUS,  3. 

II.  With  definite  yellow  some  where. 

n.  Bases  and  edges  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  yellow; 
bill  acute.         .        .       .         CHRYSOMITRIS,  6. 
nn.  Rump  sulphur  yellow;  bill  with  a  small  ruff. 

^EGIOTHUS,  5. 

nnn.  Edge  of  wing  and  superciliary  line  or  spot  at 

least,  yellow  or  yellowish ;  no  ruff. 
o.  Breast  yellow ;  throat  patch  or  streaks  black , 

bill  bluish EUSPIZA,  19. 

oo.  Breast  buffy  or  streaky ;  wings  less  than  2| ; 
tail  feathers  narrow.  .  AMMODROMUS,  11. 

ooo.  Breast  streaked ;  wings  more  than  2| ;  inner 
secondaries  nearly  as  long  as  primaries. 

PASSERCULUS,  9. 

Ul.  With  no  definite  crimson  nor  yellow  any  where. 
p.  Introduced  birds,  not  streaked  below ;  throat  black 

in  $ PASSER,  8. 

pp.  Native  birds,  much  streaked  below. 

q.  Inner  claw  reaching  at  least  half  way  to  tip  of 
middle  claw  ;  tail,  wings,  etc.,  with  much 
chestnut  red ;  wings  more  than  3 ;  no  ruff. 

PASSERELLA,  18. 


FKINGILLID^E.  —  XXXIII.  81 

qq.  Olivaceous;  110  black  nor  chestnut  ;  wings  more 
thaii  3  ,  secondaries  not  lengthened  ;  a  ruff  at 
base  of  bill.  .  .  $  of  CARPODACUS,  3, 

gqq.  Inner  secondaries  lengthened,  about  as  long  as 
primaries;  wings  less  than  3;  no  rufi'. 

PASSERCULUS,  9. 
Ick.  Wings  little  if  any  longer  than  tail. 

r.  Tail  feathers  very  slender,  rather  stiff  and  sharp 
pointed.        .  .        .       AMMODROMUS,  it 

rr.  Tail  feathers  not  rigid  and  sharp  pointed. 
8.  Sharply  streaked  below.     .        .      MELOSPIZA,  15. 
ss.  Not  streaked  below  (when  adult.) 
t.  Crown  chestnut  in  adult  (streaky  in  young)  ;  no 

yellow. 

u.  Tail  rounded  ;  length  about  5|  ;  wings  and  tail 
less  than  2i;  shaiply  streaked  above. 

MELOSPIZA,  15. 

uu*  Tail  forked;  length  5  to  61;  wings  and  tail 

2|  to  3  ;  tarsus  $  to  f  .       .        SPTZELLA,  14. 

tt.  Crown  not  chestnut  in  adult,  often  partially  so 

in  young. 

v.  Head  striped  ;  length  more  than  G  ;  tarsus 

more  than  f  .        .        .       ZONOTRICHIA,  13. 

00.  Length  less  than  6;  bend  of  wing  yellowish. 

,  16. 


/.  HESPERIPHONA,  Bonaparte.    EVENING  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  H.  vespertina,  (Coop.)  Bon.     EVENING  GROSBEAK. 
Olivaceous;  crown,  wings,  tail  and  tibia  black;  forehead 
and  crissum  yellow;  bill  very  large,  yellowish;  L.  8;  W. 
4i;  T.  2-J-.     Western,  E.  to  Ohio,  etc. 

2.  PINICQLA,  Vieillot.     PINE  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  P.  enuc/eafor,  (L.)  Vieill.      PINE  GROSBEAK.     $ 
chiefly  red;  white  wing  bars;  $  ashy  gray  with  brownish 
yellow  on  head  and  rump;  L.  8-J;  W.  4^-;  T.  4.     North- 
ward, S.  in  winter;  in  pine  woods,  etc. 


82  BIRDS, 

3.  CARPODACUS,  Kaup.  PURPLE  PINCHES. 
1.  C.  purpureus,  (Gmel.)  Gray.  PURPLE  FINCH.  Every 
where  streaky;  $  flushed  with  red,  most  intense  on  the 
crown,  fading  below  and  behind;  $  olive  brown  with 
no  red;  bill  stout;  L.  6;  W.  3J;  T.  2£.  U.  S.,  a  fine 
songster. 

4.  LQXIA,  Linnaeus.    CROSSBILLS. 

1.  L  leucoptera,  (Grael.)   WHITE  WINGED  CROSSBILL. 
3  rose  red;  white  wing  bars;  $  brownish  olive,  speckled 
with  dusky;  rump  yellow;  L.  6J;  W,  3J;  T.  BJ.    North- 
ern, S.  in  winter. 

2.  L  curvirostra,  L.    RED  CROSSBILL.    3  brick -red; 
wings  unmarked;  $  brownish  olive;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2J. 
Northern  regions  and  pine  woods;  S.  in  winter. 

5.  MGIOTHUS,  Oabanis.    LINNETS 

1.  M.  linarius,  (L.)  Cab.     RED  POLL  LINNET.    Crown 
crimson  in  both  sexes;  throat,  breast  and  rump  also  rosy 
in  3;  much  streaked  above;  chin  blackish;  L.  5f ;  W.  3; 
T.  2£.     Northern,  S.  in  winter,  in  flocks. 

2.  £.flavirostris,(L.)vsiT.brewster/,Ridgwa,y.  BREWS- 
TER'S  LINNET.    No  red  on  crown  or  breast;  rump  rosy  in 
6;  yellow  in  $;  L.  5£;  W..3;  T.  2J.     Mass.,  lately  dis- 
covered. 

6.  CHRYSOMITRIS,  Boie.    GOLDFINCHES. 

*  Sexes  alike;  plumage  thickly  streaked  everywhere;  no  black 
on  head ;  bill  very  sharp.    (Ohrysomitris.) 

1.  C.  pinusr  (Wils.)  Bon.  PINE  LINNET.  Plumage 
streaky  brown,  suffused  with  yellow  in  the  breeding 
season;  bases  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  yellow,  much 
as  in  the  female  Redstart;  L.  4f;  W.  2|;  T.  2.  N. 
Am.,  rather  northward,  but  liable  to  "turn  up  "  any  where. 


.— XXXTTT.  83 

**  Sexes  unlike ;  scarcely  or  not  streaked ;  adult  $  with  black  on 
crown,  wings  and  tail.    (Astragalinus,  Cab.) 

2.  C.  tristiSf  (L.)  Bon.  YELLOW  BIRD.  THISTLE  BIRD. 
AM.  GOLDFINCH.  $  rich  yellow;  rump  whitish;  wing 
bars  white;  white  spot  on  each  tail  feather;  $  more 
olivaceous;  fall  plumage  pale  yellow  brown;  young 
variously  ochraceous,  with  yellow  or  not;  L.  5;  W.  3; 
T.  2.  N.  Am.;  everywhere. 

7.  PLECTROPHANES,  Meyer.    LONGSPURS. 
*  Bill  small,  with  a  ruff;  hind  claw  long  but  curved.    (Plectra- 
phanes.) 

1.  P.   nivalis,   (L.)   Meyer.     SNOW  BUNTING.    SNOW 
FLAKE.     In  breeding  season,  pure  white,  with  black  on 
back,  wings  and  tail;  bill  and  feet  black;  in  U.  S.  usually 
bill  pale,  and  white  of  body  clouded  with  clear,  warm 
brown;  L.  7;  W-  4J;  T.  3.    Northern,  S.  in  winter  to 
Ohio  R.;  a  beautiful  bird. 

**  Bill  larger,  without  ruff;  hind  claw  nearly  straight.    (Centra- 
pJianes,  Kaup.) 

2.  P.   lapponicus,  (L.)   Selby.     LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 
$  with  head  and  throat  mostly  black;  a  chestnut  collar; 
back  black  and  streaky,  whitish  below;  outer  tail  feathers 
with  white;  legs  and  feet  black;  $  and  winter  birds  with 
less  black;  L.  6£;  W.  4;  T.  2f.     Northern,  S.  in  winter 
to  N.  Y.  and  Ills. 

3.  P.  pictus,  Sw.     PAINTED  LARK  BUNTING.     $  with 
head  and  upper  parts  mostly  black;   collar  and  under 
parts  rich  fawn  color;  legs  pale;  $  duller.     Northern,  S. 
in  the  interior  to  Ills,  and  Kans.;  rare. 

8.  PASSER,  Brisson.    HOUSE  SPARROWS. 

=  Pyrgitd)  Cuvier. 
1.  P.  domesticus,  L.    ENGLISH  SPARROW.    $  chestnut 


84  BIRDS. 

brown  above,  thickly  streaked;  ashy  below;  throat,  lores 
and  chin  black;  $  duller,  without  black;  feet  small;  L. 
6;  W.  2f ;  T.  2%.  Introduced  from  Europe;  abundant 
in  the  large  cities. 

2.  P.  montanus,  Auct.  EUROPEAN  TREE  SPARROW. 
"  Distinguished  by  the  chestnut  crown,  and  the  similarity 
of  both  sexes  and  the  young."  Introduced  with  preced- 
ing, and  abundant  in  St.  Louis  (Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill),  and 
perhaps  other  places. 

9.  PASSERCULUS,  Bonaparte.     SAVANNA  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.    savanna,    (Wils.)  Bon.      SAVANNA    SPARROW. 
Sharply  streaked;  streaks  on  back  blackish;  superciliary 
line  and  edge  of  wing  yellowish;   L.  5|-;  W.  2f;  T.  2. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  on  plains  and  shores. 

2.  P.  princeps,  Maynard.    IPSWICH  SPARROW.    Streaks 
on  back  sandy  brown,  not  sharply  denned;  superciliary 
line  white  in  front;  L.  6;  W.  3i;  T.  2%.     Mass.,  lately 
discovered. 

10.  PO(ECETES,  Baird.     GRASS  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.  gramineus,  (Gm.)  Baird.  BAY -WINGED  BUNT- 
ING. GRASS  SPARROW.  GROUND  BIRD.  Thickly  streaked 
everywhere;  slightly  buffy  below;  L.  6;  W.  3;  T.  2|. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc.,  and  known  at  once  by 
the  chestnut  bend  of  wing  and  white  outer  tail  feathers. 

//.  AMMODROMUS,  Swainson.     SHORE  SPARROWS. 

*  Bill  stout ;  tail  feathers  acute  but  not  rigid ;  crown  with  a  medium 
light  stripe ;  inland  species.     (Coturniculus,  Bon.) 

1.  A.  passerinus,  (Wils.)  Baird.  YELLOW -WINGED 
SPARROW.  Much  streaked  above;  feathers  edged  with 
bay;  breast  buffy,  unstreaked;  wings  and  tail  short;  edge 


FETNGILLID^E. — XXXIII.  85 

and  bend  of  wing  and  line  over  eye  yellow;  L.  5;  W. 
2f;  T.  2.     U.  S.,  in  fields;  notes  sharp,  grasshopper-like. 

2.  A.  henslowi,  (Aud.)  Baird.     HENSLOW'S  SPARROW. 
Smaller;    more    yellow   above;    breast,  etc.,  with    some 
sharp   black   streaks;   L.  5;   W.  2±;   T.  2f     E.  U.  S., 
scarce;  N.  to  Mass. 

3.  A.  /econtei,  (Aud.)  Baird.     LECONTE'S  SPARROW. 
Intermediate  between  the  preceding  and  the  next;  bill 
small,  blue-black;  back  with  rufous;  tail  feathers  very 
sharp    and    slender;    breast    unspotted,    a   broad    buffy 
superciliary  stripe;  L.  4f ;  W.  2^;  T.  2^-.     Chicago,  Ills. 
(E.  W.  Nelson]  to  Texas  and  N.  W.;  very  rare. 

**  Bill  long  and  slender ;  tail  feathers  sharp  and  rather  stiff;  sea- 
shore Sparrows.     (Ammodromus.) 

4.  A.  mar  Him  us,  (Wils.)  Sw.~  SEA- SIDE  FINCH.     Olive 
gray;  back  obscurely  streaked;  a  yellow  spot  over  eye; 
L.  G;  W.  2£;  T.  2.     Salt  marshes,  Atlantic  coast. 

5.  A.  caudacutus,  (Gm.)  Sw.     SHARP-TAILED  FINCH. 
Back    sharply   streaked;    no   yellow   spot   over   eye,    a 
bright   buff   superciliary    stripe;    L.    5;  W.  2^;    T.  If. 
Atlantic  coast. 

Var.  nelsoni,  Allen.  NELSON'S  SHARP- TAILED  FINCH. 
Shores  of  Lake  Michigan  about  Chicago ;  common. 
(E.  W.  Nelson.) 

12.  CHONDESTES,  Swainson.     LARK  SPARROWS. 

1.  C.  grammaca,  (Say.)  Bon.  LARK  FINCH.  Streaked 
above,  ashy  below;  crown  and  ear  coverts  chestnut, 
blackening  on  forehead,  with  whitish  median  and  super- 
ciliary stripes;  black  lines  through  and  below  eye;  and 
a  conspicuous  black  line  on  each  side  of  the  white 
throat;  a  black  pectoral  spot;  middle  tail  feathers  like 
back,  the  rest  blackish,  white  tipped;  L.  6J;  W.  3J;  T. 


86  BIRDS. 

3.    Western,  E.  to  Ohio;  abundant  on  prairies  and  river 
bluffs;  a  fine  songster. 

13.    ZONOTRICHIA,   Swainson.     WHITE  -  CROWNED 
SPARROWS. 

1.  Z.   leucophrys,    (Forst.)    Sw.    WHITE  -  CROWNED 
SPARROW.      Streaked  above,  with  but  little  chestnut; 
crown  with  a  broad  white  median  band,  a  narrow  black 
one  and  a  white  one  on  each  side  of  it;  no  yellow  any 
where;  throat  like  breast;  young  with  the  crown  chiefly 
rich  brown;  L.  7;  W.  3J;  T.  3£.     N.  Am.;  less  common 
than  the  next. 

2.  Z.  albicollis,  (Gm.)  Bon.    WHITE-THROATED  SPAR- 
ROW.    PEABODY  BIRD.    Much  chestnut  streaking  above ; 
crown  black,  with  white  median  and  superciliary  stripes; 
spot  over  eye  and  edge  of  wing  always  yellow;   ashy 
below,  whitening  on  throat;    $  duller;  L.  7;  W.  3;  T. 
3-jp.     E.  N.  Am.;  an  abundant  and  handsome  sparrow. 

3.  Z.    querula,   (Nutt.)   Gambel.      BLACK -HOODED 
SPARROW.    Crown,  face  and  throat  jet  black;  no  yellow; 
$   with   less  black;    L.   7£;   W.   3£;   T.  3J.     Missouri 
region,  E.  to  Minn. 

14.  SPIZELLA,  Bonaparte.     CHIPPING  SPARROWS. 

1.  S.    moniicola,    (Gm.)    Baird.      TREE    SPARROW. 
Streaked   above ;    crown   chestnut ;    bill   black   above, 
yellow  below;  neck,  line  over  eye  and  under  parts  ashy 
gray;  a  dark  pectoral  blotch;  white  wing  bars;    L.  6£; 
W.  3;  T.  3.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  northerly;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  S.  pusilla,  (Wils.)  Bon.    FIELD  SPARROW.    General 
color  of  preceding,  but  paler  and  duller;  bill  pale;  wing 
bands  rather  obscure;  L.  5£;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant.     [S.  agrestis,  (Bart.)  Coues.] 


FRINGILLIDJ3.— XXXIH.  87 

3.  S.   socialis,  (Wils.)  Bon.     CHIPPY.     HAIR  BIRD. 
Streaked  above,  with  much  dull  bay;  crown  chestnut; 
bill,  forehead  and  streak  through  eye  black;  ashy  below; 
L.   5J;    W.   2|;    T.   2£.      N.   Am.,  every  where.     [#. 
domestica,  (Bart.)  Coues.] 

4.  5.  pa///(fa,  (Sw.)  Bon.    CLAY -COLORED  SPARROW. 
Still  smaller;  pale  brownish  yellow,  streaked  with  black; 
crown  grayish,  with  median  stripe.     S.  Ills,  and  W. 

15.  MELOSPIZA,  Baird.     SONG  SPARROWS. 

1.  Nl.  melodia,  (Wils.)  Baird.     SONG  SPARROW.     Much 
streaked  above,  and  on  breast  and  sides;  crown  with  an 
obscure  pale  median  stripe;  below  white,  pectoral  streaks 
often  forming  a  blotch;    L.  6J;    W.  2|;    T.  3.     U.  S., 
every  where;    a   well-known   songster.     [M.  fasciata, 
(Gmel.)  Scott.] 

2.  M.  pa/ustr/'s,    (Wils.)   Baird.     SWAMP    SPARROW. 
Crown  chestnut;    wings  strongly  tinged  with  chestnut; 
breast  and  below  with  few  streaks  or  none;   tail  shorter 
than  in  the  Song  Sparrow;  L.  5f ;  W.  2£;  T.  2£.     E.  U. 
S.,  in  low  thickets. 

3.  M.    lincolni,    (Aud.)    Baird.      LINCOLN'S    FINCH. 
Every  where   thickly,    narrowly  and  sharply  streaked; 
breast  with  a  broad  band  of  pale  buffy  or  yellowish 
brown;  sides  washed  with  the  same;  L.  5^-;  W.  2-J-;  T. 
2-J.     N.  Am.,  rare  eastward;  a  shy  species  quite  unlike 
the  others. 

IB.  PEUC/EA,  Audubon.     SUMMER  SPARROWS. 

1.  P.  CBStivalis,  (Licht.)  Cab.  BACHMAN'S  FINCH. 
Much  streaked  above,  ashy  below;  yellow  on  bend  of 
wing  but  none  on  head;  L.  6;  W.  £J;  T.  2%.  Southern, 
N.  to  Illinois. 


88  BIRDS. 

17.  JUNCO,  Wagler.     SNOW  BIRDS. 
1.  J.  hyemalis,  (L.)  Scl.     SNOW  BIRD.     ?  more  gray- 
ish; L.  6J;  W.  3;  T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  every  where  abund- 
ant, mostly  seen  in  winter. 

18.  PASSERELLA,  Swainson.  Fox  SPARROWS. 
1.  P.  illaca,  (Merrem.)  Sw.  Fox  SPARROW.  Ashy 
above,  overlaid  and  much  streamed  with  rusty  red,  which 
becomes  bright  bay  on  rump,  tail  and  wings;  white 
below  with  large  arrow-shaped  spots  and  streaks,  numer- 
ous on  breast;  feet  stout,  with  long  claws;  L.  7;  W.  3£; 
T.  3.  E.  N.  Am.;  migrating  early;  one  of  the  hand- 
somest streaked  sparrows. 

19.  EUSPIZA,  Bonaparte.     BLACK-THROATED  BUNTINGS. 

1.  E.    americana,     (Grn.)     Bon.      BLACK -THROATED 
BUNTING.     Grayish  and  streaked  above;   wing  coverts 
chestnut;  line  over  eye,  maxillary  stripe,  edge  of  wing, 
breast  and  part  of  belly  yellow;    throat  patch  black; 
otherwise  white  below;    ?  with  little  chestnut,  and  the 
black  reduced  to  a  few  streaks;   L.  6f ;  W.  3J;   T.  2f. 
Meadows,   etc.,   Conn,  to  Kansas,   chiefly  westward;   a 
handsome  bird  with  sleek  plumage,  and  a  peculiar,  but 
scarcely  musical  song. 

2.  E.  townsendi,  (Aud.)  Bon.     TOWNSEND'S  BUNTING. 
Upper  parts,  head,  neck,  etc.,  slaty  blue;    no  chestnut, 
and  little  yellow  or  black.     Smaller,  a  doubtful  species. 
Only  one  specimen  known  from  E.  Penn. 

20.  GONIAPHEA,  Bowdich.    BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAKS. 

=  Hedymeles,  Cabanis. 

1.  G.  ludoviciana,  (L.)  Bowdich.  ROSE  -  BREASTED 
GROSBEAK.  $  with  head,  neck  and  upper  parts  mostly 
black,  with  white  on  rump,  wings  and  tail;  belly  white; 


FRINGILLID.E. — XXXIII.  89 

breast  and  under  wing  coverts  of  an  exquisite  rose-red; 
bill  very  stout,  pale;  $  olive  brown,  much  streaked,  with 
the  under  wing  coverts  saffron  yellow;  head  with  whitish 
bands;  L.  8£;  W.  4;  T.  3J.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  perhaps 
our  handsomest  bird,  and  one  of  our  most  brilliant 
songsters. 

21.  GUIRAGA,  Swainson.  BLUE  GROSBEAKS. 
1.  G.  ccerulea,  (L.)  Sw.  BLUE  GROSBEAK.  $  rich 
blue;  feathers  about  bill,  wings  and  tail,  black;  wing 
bars  chestnut ;  ?  yellowish  brown,  with  whitish  wing 
bars;  L.  7;  W.  3£;  T.  2f.  Southern,  N.  to  N.  Y.  and 
Wis.;  a  fine  songster. 

22.  CYANOSPIZA,  Baird.    INDIGO  BIRDS. 

1.  C.  cyanea,  (L.)  Baird.     INDIGO  BIRD.     $  Indigo 
blue,   clear   on    head,  greenish   behind ;    $   plain  warm 
brown,  obscurely  streaky,  known  from  other  small  spar- 
rows by  a  dusky  line  along  the  gonys;  L.  5|;  W.  3;  T. 
2f.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  summer;  a  tireless  songster. 

2.  C.  ciris,  (L.)  Baird.    NONPAREIL.    PAINTED  BUNT- 
ING.   $  head  and  neck  blue;  under  parts,  etc.,  vermillion; 
shoulders,  etc.,  green;  $  green,  yellowish  below;  L.  5£. 
Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills.     (Nelson.) 

23.  CARDINALIS,  Bonaparte.     CARDINAL  GROSBEAKS. 

1.  C.  virginianusr  (Brisson)  Bon.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK. 
RED  BIRD.  Clear  red,  ashy  on  back;  chin  and  forehead 
black;  crest  conspicuous;  $  ashy  brown,  more  or  less 
washed  with  red;  L.  8£;  W.  4;  T.  4£.  E.  U.  S.,  south- 
erly, N.  to  Mass,  and  N.  Wis.;  abundant.  A  brilliant 
songster,  much  sought  as  a  cage  bird. 

24.  PIPILO,  Vieillot.     TOWHEE  BUNTINGS. 
1.  P.  erythrophthalmus,  (L.)  Vieill.  CHEWINK.   MARSH 


90  BIKDS. 

ROBIN.  Black,  belly  white;  sides  chestnut;  outer  tail 
feathers,  primaries,  and  inner  secondaries  with  white;  $ 
clear  brown  instead  of  black;  L.  83- ;  W.  3£;  T.  4.  E. 
U.  S.,  abundant  every  where. 

•  FAMILY  XXXIV.  — ICTERID^E. 

(The  Orioles.) 

Primaries  9;  bill  with  the  commissure  angulated,  as  in 
FringHlidcB)  but  usually  lengthened,  rarely  shorter  than 
head,  straight  or  gently  curved,  without  notch  or  rictal 
bristles;  culmen  usually  extending  up  on  the  forehead, 
dividing  the  frontal  feathers.  Legs  stout,  tarsus  strictly 
oscine.  Plumage  usually  brilliant  or  lustrous,  predom- 
inant color  generally  black,  often  with  red  or  yellow; 
females  usually  different,  smaller  in  size,  brown  or  streaky 
in  the  lustrous  species,  and  yellowish  or  dusky  in  the 
brightly  colored  ones.  Notes  usually  sharp,  often  'richly 
melodious,  in  other  cases  harsh. 

Genera  about  twenty,  species  one  hundred,  all  Ameri- 
can, some  of  the  short-billed  forms  scarcely  distinct  from 
FrinyiUidw;  others  are  as  closely  related  to  Sturnidce 
(Old  World  Starlings)  and  Corvidce.  There  are  three 
sub-families,  of  which  Agelceinae  includes  most  of  our 
species.  Icterince  includes  Icterus,  while  Scolecophagus 
and  Quiscahis  belong  to  Quiscalince. 

I.  Tail  feathers  rigid,  acute;  middle  toe  and  claw  longer  than 

tarsus;  black  and  whitish  ($)  or  brownish,  streaked  (?);  bill 
short,  finch-like .,        DOLTCHONYX,  1. 

II.  Feathers  of  crown  bristle-tipped ;  tail  short,  its  feathers  acute ; 

yellow  below,  a  black  breast  patch ;  bill  long.  STURNELLA,  5. 

III.  Lateral  claws  elongated;  black  or  brown,  yellow  on  head  and 

neck ;  length  more  than  8.      .        .        XANTHOCEPHALUS,  4. 

IV.  With  none  of  the  above  combinations  of  characters, 
*  Length  at  least  more  than  7. 


ICTEKID^E. — XXXIV.  91 

f  Bill  horn-blue,  very  acute ;  black  or  olivaceous,  with  orange 

or  yellow ICTERUS,  6. 

ff  Bill  blackish ;  plumage  every  where  streaked  j  usually  a 
rusty  tinge  on  throat  and  bend  of  wing. 

?  of  AGEL^EUS,  3. 
fff  Bill  jet  black;  plumage  in  $  black,  in  ?  duller,  streaky,  or 

plain  brown. 
£  Glossy  black ;  bend  of  wing  red,  bordered  by  buffy  and 

whitish $  of  AGEL^EUS,  3. 

\\  Black ;  head  and  neck  rich  lustrous  brown. 

$  of  MOLOTHRUS,  2. 

$$  Iridescent  black  throughout ;   wings   scarcely  longer 
than  tail ;  length  more  than  10.         .        QUISCALUS,  8. 
\\\\  Black,  often  obscured  by  brownish  or  rusty;  no  red  or 
yellow ;  wings  longer  than  tail ;  length  9  to  10. 

SCOLECOPHAGUS,  7. 

**  Length  less  than  7. 
a.  Dusky  gray  brown;  bill  blackish,  shortened,  finch-like. 

$  of  MOLOTHRUS,  2. 

aa.  Black  with  chestnut  or  orange  (£),  or  else  olive  and  yellow- 
ish (?) ;  bill  acute,  bluish  or  brown.      .       .       ICTERUS,  6. 

/.  DOLICHONYX,  Swainson.     BOBOLINKS. 

1.  D.  oryzivorus,  (L.)  Sw.  BOBOLINK.  REED  BIRD. 
RICE  BIRD.  <$  in  Spring  black,  neck  buffy,  shoulders  and 
rump  ashy  white,  back  streaky;  $  and  fall  $  yellowish 
brown,  streaked  above,  —  dull  yellow  birds,  resembling 
sparrows  but  known  by  the  acute  tail  feathers;  L.  7£; 
W.  4;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  meadows  northward, 
where,  in  the  breeding  season,  it  is  our  merriest  and  most 
delightful  songster.  Retiring  southward  in  the  fall,  it 
fattens  in  the  rice  swamps  and  becomes  a  "game  bird." 

2.  MOLOTHRUS,  Swainson.     Cow  BIRDS. 

1.  M.  ater,  (Bodd.)  Gray.  Cow  BIRD.  $  iridescent 
black,  head  and  neck  glossy  brown;  <j>  much  smaller, 


92  BIEDS. 

dusky  brown;  L.  ($)  8;  W.  4;  T.  3.     U.  S.,  abundant; 
noted  for  its  parasitic  habits.     \M.  pecoris  (Gmel.),  Sw.] 

3.  AGEL/EUS,  Vieillot.     RED-WING  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  A.  phceniceus,  (L.)  V.  RED -WINGED  STARLING. 
SWAMP  BLACK  BIRD.  <$  glossy  (not  iridescent)  black, 
lesser  wing  covers  scarlet,  with  buffy  and  paler  edgings; 
?  dusky,  streaked;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  4.  U.  S.,  every 
where  abundant. 

4.    XANTHOCEPHALUS,   Bonaparte.     YELLOW  -  HEADED 

BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  X.  icterocepha/us,  (Bon.)  Baird.  YELLOW  -  HEADED 
BLACK  BIRD.  $  black  with  white  wing  patch;  head  and 
neck  rich  yellow;  $  smaller,  browner,  with  less  yellow; 
L.  10;  W.  54;  T.  44.  Southwestern,  E.  to  L.  Michigan. 

5.  STURNELLA,  Vieillot.     MEADOW  LARKS. 

1.  S.  magna,  (L.)  Sw.  MEADOW  LARK.  Brownish 
and  much  streaked  above;  chiefly  yellow  below,  a  black 
crescent  on  breast.  L.  10;  W.  5;  T.  3£.  U.  S.;  very 
abundant.  (S.  neylecta.  And.,  is  the  Western  variety, 
Illinois  S.  and  W.,  with  "  a  much  sweeter  song,"  and 
some  slight  differences  of  plumage.) 

6.  ICTERUS,  Brisson.     AMERICAN  ORIOLES. 

1.  /.    baltimore,   (L.)   Daudin.      BALTIMORE   ORIOLE. 
GOLDEN  ROBIN.      FIRE  BIRD.      Black;    bend  of  wing, 
rump,  most  tail  feathers,  and  under  parts  from  the  breast 
orange  of  varying  intensity;    $  duller,  olivaceous  and 
yellow;  L.  7f ;  W.  3|;  T.  3.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  noted 
for  its  elaborate  hanging  nest. 

2.  /.  spur/us,  (L.)  Bon.     ORCHARD  ORIOLE.     $  black; 
rump,  bend  of  wing  and  lower  parts  deep  chestnut;  $ 


CORVID^E. — XXXV.  93 

yellowish  olive,  quite  small;  young  yellow,  with  various 
black  or  chestnut  traces;  L.  7;  W.  3£;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S., 
rather  southerly. 

7.  SCOLECOPHAGUS,  Swainson.     RUSTY  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  S.  ferruginous,  (Gm.)  Sw.   RUSTY  GRACKLE.   RUSTY 
BLACK  BIRD.     $  glossy  black  and  rusty  in  autumn;  ? 
dusky,  lustreless;    bill    slender;    L.  9J;    W.   4f ;    T.  4. 
E.  U.  S. 

2.  S.  cyanocephalus,  (Wagl.)  Cab.     BREWER'S  BLACK 
BIRD.     $  black  with  green   lustre,   head  glossed  with 
purple;    ?  dusky;  L.  10;  W.  5£;  T.  4J-.    W.,  E.  to  Ills, 
and  Wis. 

8.  QU/SCALUSfViei\\ot.     CROW  BLACK  BIRDS. 

1.  Q.  pur  pure  us,  (Bartr.)  Licht.  CROW  BLACK  BIRD. 
PURPLE  GRACKLE.  Iridescent  black,  lustre  on  head 
purplish,  on  body  bronzy;  L.  13;  W.  5£;  T.  5£.  E.  U. 
S.,  abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXV.— CORVID^E. 

(The  Crows  and  Jays.) 

Primaries  10;  first  about  half  length  of  second;  nostrils 
usually  concealed  by  tufts  of  bristly  feathers,  which  are 
branched  to  their  tips.  Bill  long  and  strong,  usually 
notched,  commissure  not  angulated.  Tarsus  oscine,  its 
sides  undivided  and  separated  from  the  scutella  in  front 
bv  a  groove  which  is  either  naked  or  filled  in  with  small 
scales.  Voice  usually  harsh  and  unmusical. 

Birds  of  large  size,  the  largest  of  the  Oscines,  found 
almost  every  where.  Genera  about  forty;  species  one 
hundred  and  seventy -five.  Our  two  sub  -  families, 
Corvince,  the  Crows,  and  Garrulmce  the  Jays,  are  usually 
readily  distinguishable. 


94  BIRDS. 

*  Tail  much  shorter  than  the  long,  pointed  wings.     (Corvince.) 

\  Plumage  glossy  black CORVUS,  1. 

**  Tail  longer  than  the  short,  rounded  wings.    (Garrulinm.) 
\  Conspicuously  crested ;  chiefly  blue ;  quills  black  barred. 

CYANUHUS,  3. 
\\  Iridescent  black  and  white;  tail  much  longer  than  wings. 

PICA,  2. 
\\\  Chiefly  gray,  no  blue;  tail  scarcely  longer  than  wings. 

PERISOHEUS,  4. 
/.  CORVUS,  Linrueus.     RAVENS. 

1.  C.  corax,  L.     RAVEN.     Feathers  of  throat  stiffened, 
elongated,   narrow    and   lanceolate,   their  outlines  very 
distinct;    L.  25;  W.  17;  T.  10.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  north 
and  westward;  rare  E.  of  the  Mississippi.    Also  European. 
(C.  carmvorus,  Bartr.) 

2.  C.   amer/canus,  Aud.     CHOW.     Feathers  of  throat 
short,  broad,  obtuse,  with  their  webs  blended;   gloss  of 
plumage   purplish  violet;    head  and  neck  scarcely  lus- 
trous; L.  20;  W.  13;  T.  8.     E.  N.  Am.,  chiefly  eastward; 
abundant.     (C.  frugivorus,  Bartr.) 

3.  C.    ossifragus,  Wilson.      FISH   CROW.      Gloss   of 
plumage  green  and  violet,  evident  on  head  and  neck; 
L.  16;  W.  11;  T.  7.     New  England  to  Florida,  chiefly 
southern,  and  found  only  along  the  coast.    (C.  maritimus, 
Bartr.) 

2.  PICA,  Cuvier.     MAGPIES. 

1.  P.  me/ano/euca  (Vieill.)  var.  hudsonica,  (Sab.)  Coues. 
MAGPIE.  Lustrous  black;  belly,  shoulders,  and  wing- 
edgings  white;  L.  19;  "W.  8£;  T.  13,  much  graduated. 
Western,  E.  to  L.  Michigan. 

3.  CYANURUS,  Swainson.     BLUE  JAYS. 
1.  C.  or/status,  (L.)  Sw.      BLUE  JAY.      Blue;    collar 
and  frontlet  black;  grayish  below;  wings  and  tail  clear 


TYRANNTD^E.  —  XXXVI.  95 

blue-barred  ;  outer  tail   feathers  and  secondaries  tipped 
with  white;  L.  12;  W.  5£;  T.  5f.     N.  E.  Am.,  abundant. 

4.  PERSSOREUS,  Bonaparte.     GRAY  JAYS. 

1.  P.  canadensis,  (L.)  Bon.  CANADA  JAY.  WHISKEY 
JACK.  Ashy  gray  with  blackish  and  whitish  markings; 
L.  lOf  ;  W.  5f  ;  T.  6.  Northern,  S.  to  New  England  in 
Winter. 


FAMILY  XXXVI.— 

(The  Flycatchers.) 

Primaries  10;  first  more  than  f-  length  of  second,  and 
one  or  more  of  them  often  attenuate  ;  bill  broad,  triangu- 
lar, depressed,  abruptly  hooked  and  notched  at  tip,  with 
long  rictal  bristles;  commissure  nearly  straight;  nostrils 
small,  usually  partly  concealed.  Tarsus  "  clamatorial," 
the  scutella  extending  around  its  back.  Feet  small,  for 
perching.  Mouth  capacious;  notes  simple,  often  pleas- 
ant; changes  of  plumage  slight;  ours  mostly  olivaceous. 

A  large  family  of  eighty  genera,  and  more  than  three 
hundred  species;  all  American  and  mostly  tropical.  All 
are  insectivorous,  most  of  them  pre-eminently  so;  they 
are,  therefore,  in  our  latitude,  migratory. 

*  First  primaries  evidently  attenuate  ;  crown  with  concealed  bright 

red  or  yellow  crest  (in  adult). 
f  Tail  widely  forked,  about  twice  as  long  as  wings. 

MILVULUS,  1. 

ft  Tail  nearly  even,  shorter  than  wings.    .        .     TYRANNUS,  2. 
**  First  primaries  not  obviously  attenuate  ;  crown  plain,  some- 

times crested. 

\  Wings  edged  with  chestnut,  not  much  longer  than  tail  ;  length 
8  or  more  .......       MYIARCHUS,  3. 

Jt  "Wings  not  chestnut-edged,  not  much  longer  than  tail  ;  tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  black;  length  6$- 
to  7|  .........  SAYORNIS,  4. 


96  BIBDS. 

\\\  Wings  loDger  than  tail;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and 
claw;  bill  not  all  black;  length  6  or  more.  CONTOPUS,  5. 

\\\\  Wings  not  much  longer  than  tail ;  middle  toe  and  claw  not 
longer  than  tarsus ;  bill  mostly  pale  below ;  length  oi  or 
less EMPIDONAX,  6. 

/.  MILVULUS,  Swainson.     FORK -TAILED  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  Jiff,   forficatus,  (Gm.)  Sw.      SCISSOR  -  TAIL.      Ashy, 
tail,  shoulders,  sides,  etc.,  with  much  red;  L.  13;  W.  5; 
T.  8.     S.  W.,  N.  to  Kansas,  straying  to  New  Jersey. 

2.  M.  tyrannus,  (L.)  Bon.   FORK  -  TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 
Larger,  no  red,  tail  still  more  elongate.     Tropical,  stray- 
ing to  N.  J.  arid  La. 

2.  TYRANNUS,  Cuvier.     KING  BIRDS. 

1.  T,   carolinensiSj   (L.)   Baird.      KING   BIRD.      BEE 
MARTIN.     Blackish  ash,  white  below ;  tail  black,  white  - 
tipped;  L.  8J;  W.  4f ;  T.  3£.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward; 
abundant.     "  Destroys  a  thousand  noxious   insects   for 
every  bee  it  eats! "     (Coues) 

2.  T.  verticalis,  Say.     ARKANSAS  FLYCATCHER.    Belly 
yellow;  tail  white-edged.    Western,  straying  to  N.  J. 

3.  MYIARCHUS,  Cabanis.     CRESTED  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  Kl.  crinitus,  (L.)  Cab.  GREAT  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 
Scarcely  crested;  olivaceous.,  yellow  below,  with  bright 
chestnut  on  wings  and  tail;  L.  8f;  W.  4;  T.  4.  E,  U. 
S..  chiefly 'southerly,  N.  to  N.  Wis.  A  handsome  bird, 
"noted  for  the  habitual  use  of  cast-off  snake  skins  in 
the  structure  of  its  nest." 

4.  SAYORNIS,  Bonaparte.     PEWEES. 

1.  S.  fuscusf  (Gm.)  Baird.  PEWEE.  PIKEBE.  PEWIT. 
Olive  brown,  head  and  tail  darker;  yellow  below,  more 


TYRAKNTD.E. — XXXVI.  97 

or  less;  L.  7;  W.  3J;  T.  3J.     E.U.  S.,  abundant;  known 
by  its  black  bill. 

5.  CONTOPUS,  Cabanis.    WOOD  PEWEES. 

1.  C.  borealis,  (Sw.)  Baird.    OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 
Rictal  bristles  short,  one-fourth  length  of  bill;   tuft  of 
white  cottony  feathers  on  sides  very  conspicuous;  middle 
line  of  belly  distinctly  and  abruptly  white;    otherwise 
olive  brown,  paler  or  yellowish  below;    L.  7-J;  W.  4^-; 
T.  3.     Northern,  S.  to  N.  Y. 

2.  C.  v/'rens,  (L.)  Cab.    WOOD  PEWEE.     Rictal  bristles 
half  length  of  bill;    cottony  tuft  inconspicuous;    wing 
bands  whitish  or  rusty;    olive    brown  above;    pale   or 
yellowish  below;    lower  mandible  usually  pale;   L.  6£; 
W.  3i;  T.  3.     U.  S.,  very  abundant. 

3.  C.  richardsoni,  (Sw.)  Bd.    WESTERN  WOOD  PEWEE. 
Darker;    bill  dusky  below.     N.W.,  E.  toWis.;    nearly 
like  the  preceding,  but  the  notes  and  nesting  different. 

6.  EMPIDONAX,  Cabanis.     LEAST  FLYCATCHERS. 

1.  E.  acadicus,  (Gm.)  Baird.     SMALL  GREEN-CRESTED 
FLYCATCHER.      Clear    olive    green,  wing   bands   buffy; 
whitish  becoming  yellowish  below;  yellowish  ring  about 
eyes;  bill  pale  below;    primaries  nearly  an  inch  longer 
than  secondaries;  2d,  3d  and  4th  primaries  nearly  equal, 
and  much  longer  than  1st  and  5th;  1st  much  longer  than 
6th;  L.  6;  W.  3;  T.  2f ;  Ts.  f ;  Tel.  j.     E.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  E.   traillii,   (Aud.)   Baird.      TRAILL'S  FLYCATCHER. 
Olive  brown,  duller  than  preceding;    bill    pale   below; 
5th  primary  about  as  long  as  4th,  1st  not  much  longer 
than  6th;  middle  toe  f  length  of  tarsus;  longest  primary 
f  inch  longer  than  secondaries;   L.  5f;  W.  2f ;    T.  2J-; 
Ts.  f ;  Tel.  f .     U.  S. 


98  BIRDS. 

3.  E.  minimus,  Baird.      LEAST  FLYCATCHER.      Olive 
gray;    bill   blackish   below;    wings  like  preceding,  but 
longest  primary   but  \  inch   longer   than    secondaries; 
middle  toe  half  as  long  as  tarsus;  bill  less  than  -J  inch; 
L.  5;  W.  2J;  T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant. 

4.  E.   flaviventris,   Baird.      YELLOW-BELLIED    FLY- 
CATCHER.    Clear  olive  green;  yellow  below,  becoming 
bright  yellow  (not  merely  yellowish  as  in  the  others)  on 
the  belly;  first  primary  about  equal  to  sixth;    feet  as  in 
acadicus;    bill  yellow  below;    L.  5£;  W.  2f;    T.   2J. 
E.  U.  S. 


ORDER  H. -PIC ABLE. 

(Picarian  Birds.') 

Hind  toe  small,  sometimes  wanting,  occasionally  ele- 
vated; its  claw  shorter  than  that  of  middle  toe  (with  rare 
exceptions);  3d  and  4th  toes  often  with  less  than  the 
normal  number  of  joints;  2d  and  4th  toes  sometimes 
versatile.  Wing  coverts  larger  and  in  more  numerous 
series  than  in  the  Passeres.  Primaries  10,  first  rarely 
short;  tail  feathers  10  (8  to  12).  Musical  apparatus 
imperfect.  Sternum  non-passerine.  Tarsus  never  oscine. 
Nature  altricial.  A  highly  diversified  group,  the  mem- 
bers of  which  have  little  in  common  except  their  want 
of  resemblance  to  other  birds. 

FAMILY  XXXVII.— CAPRIMULGID^. 

(The  Goatsuckers.) 

Bill  very  short,  "  fissirostral,"  the  gape  exceedingly 
deep  and  wide,  reaching  to  below  the  eyes,  and  usually 
with  prominent  rictal  bristles.  Wings  long  and  pointed; 
secondaries  lengthened.  Plumage  long  and  loose,  owl- 
like.  Tail  feathers  10.  Feet  very  small;  tarsus  short, 


CYPSELID.E. — XXXVIII.  99 

partly  feathered;  toes  slightly  webbed  at  base,  the  hind 
toe  somewhat  elevated.  Genera  fourteen;  species  one 
hundred  or  more,  widely  diffused;  chiefly  insectivorous. 
*  Tail  rounded ;  rictal  bristles  very  long.  .  ANTROSTOMUS,  1. 
**  Tail  forked ;  rictal  bristles  inconspicuous.  .  CHORDEILES,  2. 

/.  ANTROSTOMUS,  Gould.     WHIPPOORWILLS. 

1.  A.  vociferus,  (Wils.)  Bon.   WHIPPOORWILL.   NIGHT 
JAR.     Grayish,  much  variegated;  pectoral  bar  and  ends 
of   outer   tail   feathers  white  (<$)    or   tawny    ($);    rictal 
bristles  unbranched;    L.  10;   W.   6;    T.   5.      E.  U.   S., 
abundant,  nocturnal;    noted   for   its    "solemn  and  pro- 
phetic" cry. 

2.  A.  carolinensis,  (Gm.)  Gould.   CHUCKWILL'S  WIDOW. 
More  reddish;  rictal  bristles  with  lateral   filaments;  L. 
12;  W.  9;  T.  6£.     Southern,  N.  to  Ills.     (Nelson.) 

2.  CHORDEILES,  Swainson.     NIGHT  HAWKS. 

1.  C.  virginianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  NIGHT  HAWK.  BULL 
BAT.  Blackish,  variegated;  a  large  wing  spot,  bar 
across  tail,  and  V-shaped  blotch  on  throat — white  in  £, 
tawny  or  obscure  in  ?;  L.  9£;  W.  8;  T.  5.  U.S.; 
abundant.  \C.popetue,  (Vieill.)  Bd.] 

FAMILY  XXXVIIL— CYPSELIDJE. 

(The  Swifts.) 

Bill  fissirostral,  as  in  Caprimulgidce  and  Hirundinidce. 
Wings  very  long,  thin  and  pointed;  secondaries  very 
short.  Feet  small,  weak;  hind  toe  often  elevated  or 
otherwise  turned;  toes  completely  cleft.  No  rictal 
bristles.  Tail  feathers  10;  plumage  compact.  In  most 
species  the  salivary  glands  are  highly  developed,  and 
their  secretion  is  used  as  a  glue  in  the  construction  of 


100  BIRDS. 

the  nest;  species  of  Collocalia  thus  form  the  edible 
bird's  nest.  Small  birds  of  the  warmer  parts  of  the 
world,  bearing  a  superficial  resemblance  to  Swallows,  but 
structurally  very  different,  being  closely  related  to  the 
Humming  Birds.  Genera  six  or  eight;  species  about 
fifty. 

*  Tarsus  bare,  longer  than  middle  toe;   tail  feathers  with  the 

shafts  spmous,  projecting  beyond  the  plumage. 

CH^ETUKA,  1. 

/.  CH/ETURA,  Stephens.     CHIMNEY  SWALLOWS. 

1.  C.  pelagica,  (L.)  Baird.  CHIMNEY  SWIFT.  Sooty 
brown;  throat  paler;  L.  5±;  W.  5;  T.  2.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

FAMILY  XXXIX.  — TROCHILHLE. 

(The  Humming  Birds.) 

Bill  subulate,  usually  longer  than  the  head,  straight  or 
curved;  tongue  capable  of  great  protrusion.  Wings 
long  and  pointed,  the  secondaries  short,  only  six  in 
number;  tail  of  ten  feathers.  Feet  very  small,  with 
sharp  claws.  Smallest  of  all  birds  and  among  the  most 
brilliantly  colored.  Genera  seventy -five;  species  three 
hundred  or  more,  thus  forming  one  of  the  largest  families 
in  Ornithology.  All  are  American,  and  most  of  them 
tropical,  but  our  common  species  ranges  far  into  British 
America. 

*  First  primary  not  attenuate,  bowed  or  curved  inwards. 

TROCHILUS,  1. 

/.   TROCHILUS,  Linnaeus.     RUBY  -  THEOATED  HUMMING 

BIRDS. 

1.  T.  colubris,  L.  RUBY  -  THROATED  HUMMING  BIRD. 
$  metallic  green  above;  a  ruby -red  gorget;  tail  deeply 
forked,  uniform  purplish;  $  without  red,  the  tail  vari- 


CUCULID^E. — XLI.  101 

egated;    L.   3£;    W.   If;    T.  li;    B.  f.      E.  N.  Am.; 
abundant  in  summer. 

FAMILY  XL.  — ALCEDINID^E. 

(The  Kingfishers.) 

Head  large;  bill  long,  straight  and  strong,  usually 
longer  than  head;  gape  deep,  tomia  not  serrate.  Wings 
long;  tail  short.  Legs  quite  small;  feet  syndactyle — 
the  outer  and  middle  toes  united  to  their  middle,  a  con- 
tinuous sole  beneath;  tibia  naked  below.  Tail  feathers 
twelve.  Species  about  one  hundred,  chiefly  of  the  tropical 
parts  of  the  Old  World  and  Australia.  Many  of  them 
feed  upon  fishes,  and  nearly  ail  are  remarkable  for  their 
brilliant  coloration. 

*  Head  crested CEBYLE,  1. 

/.  CERYLE,  Boie.    KINGFISHERS. 

>  Ispida,  Swainson. 

1.  C.  alcyon,  (L.)  Boie.  BELTED  KINGFISHER.  Ashy 
blue  above,  a  bluish  band  across  breast;  white  below; 
$  with  sides  and  band  across  belly  chestnut;  tail  barred 
with  white;  L.  13;  W.  6;  T.  3£;  B.  2,  or  more.  N. 
Am.;  everywhere. 

FAMILY  XLI.— CUCULID^E. 

(The  Cuckoos) 

Bill  compressed,  lengthened,  decurved;  usually  with- 
out rictal  bristles  or  nasal  tufts.  Tail  long  and  soft,  of 
eight  to  twelve  feathers.  Tongue  not  extensible.  Feet 
zygodactyle,  by  reversion  of  fourth  toe.  Species  about 
two  hundred,  in  various  parts  of  the  world. 

*  Plumage  lustrous  olive  gray  or  drab;  arboreal.       COCCYGUS,  1. 


'1Q2  "  ;  ;     :,',•••,          BIRDS. 

/.  COGCYGUStVieillot.    AMERICAN  CUCKOOS. 

1.  C.  americanuSf  (L.)  Bon.   YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 
Bill   yellow   below ;    wings  with  much  cinnamon   red ; 
middle  tail  feathers  like  the  back;  outer  ones  black  with 
broad  white  tips;  L.  12;  W.  5£;  T.  6.     U.  S. 

2.  C.  erythrophthalmus,  (Wils.)  Baird.    BLACK-BILLED 
CUCKOO.      Bill  chiefly  black ;  wings  with  little  or  no 
reddish;  tail  feathers  all  brownish,  obscurely  whitish  at 
tips;  L.  Hi;  W.  5;  T.  6±.     E.  U.  S. 

FAMILY  XLIL  — PICID^E. 

(The  Woodpeckers.) 

Bill  stout,  usually  straight,  with  the  tip  truncate  or 
acute,  fitted  for  hammering  or  boring  into  wood.  Tongue 
long,  flattish,  barbed,  capable  of  great  protrusion,  adapted 
for  sec  <\g  insects  (except  in  8phyrapicus)\  hyoid  appa- 
ratus peculiar,  its  horns  generally  quite  long,  curving 
around  the  skull  behind.  Feet  zygodactyle,  outer  toe 
permanently  reversed;  hind  toe  present  (except  in  Pico- 
ides)  ;  claws  com-n^essed,  sharp  and  strong.  Tail  feathers 
12,  rigid  and  aci  'mate,  outer  pair  short,  concealed;  tail 
never  forked;  nasal  tufts  usually  present. 

Chiefly  arboreal;  all  (except  Sphyrapicus,  which  is 
truly  a  "Sap-Sucker,")  are  pre-eminently  insectivorous 
and  hence  they  are  of  the  greatest  service  to  the  farmer. 
Voice  loud  and  often  harsh.  Colors  generally  bright, 
the  male  at  least  having  almost  always  red  on  the  head; 
sexes  usually  slightly  different.  Species  two  hundred 
and  fifty,  abundant  almost  every  where. 
*  Conspicuously  crested ;  length  18  or  more. 

-  Bill  and  nasal  feathers  dark.          .         HYLOTOMUS,  1. 

-  Bill  and  nasal  feathers  pale.        .        CAMPEPHILUS,  2. 
**  Not  crested ;  toes  3  only,  hallux  wanting.        .        PICOLDES,  4. 
***  Not  crested ;  toes  4,  length  less  than  14, 


PICIDJS. — xm.  103 

f  Tongue  obtuse,  brushy ;  ridges  on  upper  mandible  running 

into  the  toinia ;  belly  with  some  yellow.     SPHYBAPICUS,  5. 

ff  Tongue  acute,  barbed;  ridges  on  sides  of  upper  mandible 

reaching  the  tip;  no  yellow;  quills  (in  ours)  with  round 

white  spots Picus,  3. 

f  f  f  Tongue  acute,  barbed ;  ridges  on  sides  of  upper  mandible 

wanting  or  indistinct. 
J  Back  barred. 

a.  Belly  with  round  black  spots ;  feathers  of  wings  and  tail 

yellow  or  orange  beneath.         .         .         COLAPTES,  8. 

aa.  Belly  unspotted,  tinged  with  red  or  yellow ;  no  yellow 

on  quills CENTUHUS,  6. 

\\  Back  not  barred;  body  lustrous  blue-black;  rump,. second- 
aries, and  under  parts  white ;  head  and  neck  red  in  adults, 
grayish  in  young.  .  .  .  MELAJSERPES,  7. 

/.  HYLOTOMUS,  Baird.     BLACK  WOODCOCKS. 

1.  H.  p/Jeafus,  (L.)  Baird.  PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 
LOGCOCK.  Black;  white  streak  down  neck;  crest  and 
cheek  patch  scarlet  in  <$;  cheeks  and  front  of  crest  black 
in  ?,  L.  18;  W.  9J;  T.  7.  N.  Am.;  in  heavy  timber. 

2.  CAMPEPHIL  US,  Gray.    IVORY  -  BILLED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  C.  principalis,  (L.)  Gray.  GREAT  IVORY -BILLED 
WOODPECKER.  Black  with  white  markings;  crest  scarlet 
in  3,  black  in  $;  L.  21;  W.  11;  T.  8.  Southern,  N.  to 
S.  Ills. 

3.  PIC  US f  Linnaeus.     SPOTTED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  P.  borealis,  Vieill.     RED  -  COCKADED  WOODPECKER. 
Black  and  white,  spotted  and  crosswise  banded,  but  not 
streaked;  a  red  line  on  each  side  of  head  in  <$;  L.  8J; 
W.  4-J-;  T.  3^.     Southern  States  in  swamps,  N.  to  Penn. 

2.  P.   villosus,  L.     HAIRY  WOODPECKER.     BIG  SAP- 
SUCKER.      Spotted    and   lengthwise    streaked,   but  not 


104  BIKDS. 

banded;  back  black  with  a  long  white  stripe;  outer  tail 
feathers  wholly  white;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  3^;  a  scarlet 
nuchal  band  in  $  only.  U.  S.;  everywhere. 

3.  P.  pubescens,  L.  DOWNY  WOODPECKER.  LITTLE 
SAP- SUCKER.  Much  smaller;  outer  tail  feathers  black 
and  white,  barred,  otherwise  precisely  like  the  other; 
L.  6£;  W.  3|;  T.  2|.  U.  S:;  every  where. 

4.  PICO  IDES,  Lacepede.     THREE  -  TOED  WOODPECKERS. 

1.  P.  arcticus,  (Sw.)  Gray.     BLACK  -  BACKED  WOOD  - 
PECKER.     Black  and  white;  crown  yellow  in  <$,  plain  in 
?;  back  uniform  black;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  3f.     Northern, 

5.  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  P.   americanus,   Brehm.      BANDED    THREE  -  TOED 
WOODPECKER.      Back  with  a  white  lengthwise   stripe; 
otherwise  as  above;  L.  8;  W.  4J;  T.  %.     Arctic,  S.  in 
winter  to  New  England. 

5.  SPHYRAPICUS,  Baird.     SAP-SUCKING  WOODPECKERS. 
1.  S.   varius,  (L.)   Baird.     YELLOW-BELLIED  WOOD- 
PECKER.     Black   and   white   above ;   black  on  breast ; 
chiefly  yellowish  below;  white  wing  patch;  crown  red  in 
adult,  chin  scarlet  in  $',  L.  8J;  W.  4f ;  T.  3^.     U.  S., 
abundant. 

6.  CENTURUSf  Swainson.    RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKERS. 
1.   C.  carol  in  us,   (L.)    Bon.      RED -BELLIED    WOOD- 
PECKER.    Grayish,  much  barred  above  with  black  and 
white;  crown  and  nape  crimson  in  $,  crown  ashy  in  $, 
belly  reddish-tinged;  L.  9f ;  W.  5;  T.  3J.     E.  U.  S., 
rather  southerly;  N.  to  N.  Wis. 

7.  MELANERPES,    Swainson.       RED -HEADED    WOOD- 

PECKERS. 

1.  M.  erythrocephalus,  (L.)  Sw.    RED-HEADED  WOOD- 


.  —  XLIII.  105 


PECKER.     L.  9;  W.  5£;  T.  3£.     U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky 
Mts.;  abundant. 

8.  COLAPTES,  Swainson.     FLICKERS. 

1.  C.  auratus,  (L.)  Sw.  GOLDEN  -  WINGED  WOOD- 
PECKER. HIGH  -  HOLER.  YARUP.  Head  ashy,  with  red 
nuchal  crescent;  back  olivaceous,  barred  with  black;  rump 
white;  below  pinkish  brown  shading  into  yellowish,  a 
black  crescent  on  breast  and  numerous  round  black  spots; 
shafts  and  under  surfaces  of  quills  golden  yellow;  $  with 
a  black  maxillary  patch;  L.  12£;  W.  6;  T.  4f  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

Var.  mexicanus,  (Sw.)  Snow.  RED-  SHAFTED  FLICKER. 
Quills  with  orange  red  instead  of  golden;  maxillary 
patches  in  $  red  instead  of  black;  no  nuchal  crescent; 
no  yellowish  on  belly.  Western,  E.  to  Kas.,  etc.  Runs 
into  the  preceding,  through  C.  hybridus,  Baird. 


OEDER  L-PSITTAOI. 

(The  Parrots.) 

Bill  enormously  thick,  cered  at  base  and  strongly 
hooked.  Feet  zygodactyle  by  reversion  of  outer  toe, 
tarsus  reticulate.  Tongue  short,  fleshy;  upper  jaw  un- 
usually movable.  Altricial.  Plumage  often  brilliant.  In 
all  warm  regions;  species  three  hundred  and  fifty-four, 
nearly  half  of  which  are  American. 

FAMILY    XLIIL— ARID^E. 

(The  Macaws.) 

Parrots  with  the  head  not  crested,  and  the  tail  long, 
wedge-shaped  or  graduated.     (Itaird.) 
*  Culmen  rounded ;  face  entirely  feathered  except  a  curve  about 
the  eye ;  tail  shorter  than  wings.          .        .          CONUKUS,  1. 


106  BIKDS. 

/.  CONURUS,  Kuhl.  PARROQUETS. 
1.  C.  carolinensis,  (L.)  Kuhl.  CAROLINA  PARROQTJET. 
Green;  head  and  neck  yellow;  face  red;  wings  with  blue 
and  yellow;  bill  white;  L.  13;  W.  7£;  T.  6.  Southwest- 
ern, formerly  N.  to  the  Great  Lakes;  now  nearly  exter- 
minated. 


OEDER  J.-EAPTORES. 

(The  Birds  of  Prey.) 

Bill  powerful,  cered  at  base,  strongly  hooked  at  the 
end.  Feet  never  zygodactyle ;  fourth  toe  sometimes 
versatile;  claws  long  and  sharp;  hind  toe  well  developed, 
rarely  elevated ;  tibia,  and  often  tarsus,  feathered. 
Primaries  10;  tail  feathers  12  (with  rare  exceptions). 
Altricial,  but  young  downy  at  birth.  Carnivorous  birds, 
generally  of  large  size  and  great  strength,  found  in  every 
part  of  the  world. 

FAMILY  XLIV.  — STRIGID^E. 

(The  Owls.) 

Head  very  large,  shortened  lengthwise  and  greatly 
expanded  laterally;  the  eyes  directed  forwards  and 
partly  surrounded  by  a  disk  of  radiating  feathers  of 
peculiar  texture;  loral  feathers  antrorse,  long  and  dense; 
feathers  on  the  sides  of  forehead  often  elongated  into 
ear  -  like  tufts.  Plumage  very  soft  and  lax,  rendering  the 
flight  almost  noiseless;  its  colors  blended  and  mottled  so 
as  to  render  minute  description  difficult.  External  ear 
very  large,  often  provided  with  a  movable  flap.  Outer 
toe  versatile;  claws  very  sharp,  long  and  strong.  Eggs 
nearly  t  spherical,  pure  white.  Chiefly  nocturnal.  Sexes 
colored  alike,  $  usually  the  larger.  Owls  are  found  in 
every  part  of  the  globe,  and  most  of  the  species  have  a 


STRIGID^E. — XLIV.  107 

wide  range.  Their  habits  are  so  well  known  that  I  need 
not  dwell  upon  them  here.  Genera  about  forty;  species 
one  hundred  and  fifty. 

*  Tarsus  naked  or  scant  -  feathered,  facial  disk  perfect;   no  ear- 
tufts;  middle  claw  pectinate;  iris  black.        .        STHIX,  1. 
**  Tarsus  fully  feathered, 
f  Head  with  evident  "  ear-tufts ;"  iris  yellow. 
\  Tail  about  f  of  wing;  bill  blackish;  length  more  than  18. 

BUBO,  6. 

#  Tail  about  half  length  of  wing;  length  less  than  18. 
a.  Bill  pale ;  length  less  than  12.       ...        SCOPS,  5. 
aa.  Bill  dark ;  length  more  than  12.  .        .        .        OTUS,  2. 
ft  Head  without  evident  "  ear-tufts." 
b.  Tail  about  i  length  of  wing ;  iris  yellow ;  length  less  than 

12 •    NYCTALE,  4. 

Kb.  Tail  about  £  of  wing;  length  18  or  more. 
c.  Pure  white,  with  dark  markings ;  toes  concealed  by  long 
feathers ;  facial  disk  incomplete ;  bill  black ;  iris  yellow. 

NYCTEA,  7. 
cc.  Grayish,  much  barred ;  facial  disk  complete ;  bill  yellow ; 

iris  black  or  yellow SYRNIUM,  3. 

bbb.  Tail  about  f  of  wing ;  bill  yellow ;  iris  yellow ;  length 

about  16 SURNIA,  8. 

***  Tarsus  long,  sparsely  bristly ;   facial  disk  imperfect ;   middle 
claw  simple SPEOTYTO,  9. 

/.  STRIX,  Linnaeus.     BARN  OWLS. 

1.  5.  flammea,  (L.)  var.  pratinco/a,  (Bon.)  Ridg.  BARN 
OWL.  Face  elongated;  reddish  or  tawny,  much  vari- 
egated; L.  17;  W.  13;  T.  5|.  U.  S.,  rather  southerly. 

2.  OTUS,  Cuvier.     EARED  OWLS. 

1.  0.  vulgaris,  (L.)  var.  wilsonianus,  (Less.)  Allen. 
LONG -EARED  OWL.  Ear  tufts  well  developed,  of  8  to 


108  BIRDS. 

12    feathers;    outer    primary    only   emarginate;    much 
variegated;  L.  15;  W.  12;  T.  6.     U.  S. 

2.  0.  brachyotus,  (Gm.)  Steph.  SHORT  -  EARED  OWL. 
Ear  tufts  small  and  inconspicuous;  two  outer  primaries 
emarginate;  L.  15;  W.  12;  T.  6.  U.  S.  and  Europe. 
(Brachyotus  palustris,  Auct.) 

3.  SYRNIUM,  Savigny.     BARRED  OWLS. 
*  Iris  black ;  5  outer  primaries  emarginate.    (Syrnium.) 

1.  S.  nebulosum,  (Forst.)  Boie.     BARRED  OWL.     Toes 
not  concealed;  olive  brown,  barred  with  white  above; 
breast  barred;    belly  streaked;  L.  18;  W.  14;  T.  9.     E. 
N.  Am.,  common. 

**  Iris  yellow;  6  outer  primaries  emarginate.    (Scotiaptex.) 

2.  S.   cinefieum,  (Gmel.)  Aud.      GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 
Toes  concealed  by  long  feathers;  cinereous  brown  above, 
waved  with  white;  breast  streaked,  belly  barred;  largest 
of  all  our  owls;  L.  30;  W.  18;  T.  12.     Northern,  S.  in 
winter  to  N.  States. 

4.  NYCTALE,  Brehm.     SPARROW  OWLS. 

1.  N.  tengmalmii,  Gm.  var.  richardsonii,  (Bon.)  Ridg. 
TEXGMALM'S  OWL.     Nostrils  sunken,  elongated,  opening 
laterally;  tail  more  than  half  wing;  general  color  choco- 
late brown,  variegated;  L.  10;  W.  ?i;  T.  4^.     Northern, 
S.  to  N.  U.  S. 

2.  N.  acadica.,  (Gm.)  Bon.     SAW-WHET  OWL.     Nos- 
trils prominent,  nearly  circular,  opening  anteriorly;  L. 
8;  W.  5|;  T.  2f.     U.  S.,  rather  northerly. 

5.  SCOPS,  Savigny.      SCREECH  OWLS. 
1.   5.   asio,  (L.)  Bon.      SCREECH   OWL.      RED   OWL. 

Grayish,  speckled  and  barred,  or  else  with  the  grayish 
replaced  by  bright  reddish ;  these  two  different  styles  of 


FALCONID^!. — XLV.  109 

plumage  bearing  no  relation  to  age,  sex  or  season;   L. 
10;  W.  7;  T.  3±.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

6.  BUBO,  Dumeril.     GREAT  HORNED  OWLS. 

1.  B.  virginianus,  (Gm.)  Bon.  GREAT  HORNED  OWL. 
Black,  gray  and  buffy,  variously  mottled  and  barred; 
usually  a  whitish  half-collar;  ear  tufts  large,  their  feathers 
mostly  black;  L.  22;  W.  16;  T.  10.  U.  S.,  abundant; 
one  of  the  strongest  and  most  untamable  of  the  Owls. 

7.  NYCTEA,  Stephens.     GREAT  SNOW  OWLS. 

1.  N.  scandiaca,  (L.)  Newt.  SNOWY  OWL.  Pure 
white,  more  or  less  barred  with  blackish;  L.  23;  W.  17; 
T.  10.  Northern,  S.  in  Winter;  one  of  the  handsomest 
of  Owls.  (N~.  Hivea,  Auct.) 

8.  SURNIA,  Dumeril.     HAWK  OWLS. 
1.   S.  ulula,  (L.)  Bon.,  var.  hudsonica,  (Gm.)     Ridg. 
HAWK  OWL.     DAY  OWL.     Brown,  much  speckled  and 
barred;  L.  16;  W.  9;  T.  7.     Northern,  S.  to  Wis.  and 
Mass. 

9.  SPEOTYTO,  Gloger.     BURROWING  OWLS. 

1.  S.  vun/'cu/ar/a,  (Mol.)  var.  hypogcea,  (Bon.)  Coues. 
BURROWING  OWL.  Brownish,  much  spotted  and  varie- 
gated. L.  10;  W.  7|;  T.  4.  Fla.  and  Western  Plains, 
living  in  the  holes  of  prairie  dogs. 

FAMILY  XLV.— FALCONID^E. 

(The  Falcons) 

Eyes  lateral,  eyelids  provided  with  lashes,  usually  a 
projecting  bony  eyebrow;  no  complete  facial  disk.  Toes 
always  naked,  and  usually  tarsus  also  ;  hind  toe  not 
elevated.  Head  fully  feathered  (except  in  the  Old  World 


110  BIRDS. 

Vulturinas),  no  ear  tufts.  Base  of  stout,  strongly  hooked 
bill,  not  hidden  by  feathers.  Claws  very  strong  and  sharp. 
Plumage  usually  of  blended  colors,  barred  or  streaked; 
changes  considerable ;  $  usually  the  larger.  Genera  fifty, 
species  three  hundred,  abounding  every  where.  Their 
habits  are  too  well  known  to  require  description  here. 

I.  Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes. 

a.  Tarsus  entirely  feathered ;  tail  12  or  more.      .      AQUILA,  12. 

aa.  Tarsus  with  a  narrow  unfeathered  strip  behind  ;  tail  less 
than  12 ARCHIBDTEO,  11. 

II.  Tarsus  reticulate  all  around. 

&.  Upper  mandible  toothed ;  under  notched ;  nostrils  circular. 

FALCO,  1. 
6&.  Tail  widely  forked ;  outer  feather  twice  as  long  as  middle 

ones ;  colors  black  and  white.        .        .        NAUCLERUS,  3. 
111).  Claws  all  of  same  length,  rounded  beneath ;  tibial  feathers 

close ;  plumage  compact,  without  after  shafts.  PANDION,  2. 
bbbb.  Tail  emarginate,  and  outer  feather  not  longer  than  middle ; 

head  and  tail  white  in  adult.         .        .        .        ELANUS,  5. 

III.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only  (occasionally  "booted.") 

c.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all ;  neck  feathers  lanceolate,  white  in 

adult HALIAETUS,  13. 

cc.  Toes  somewhat  webbed  at  base. 
d.  Nostrils  circular;  tail  less  than  £  length  of  wing. 

ICTINIA,  4. 

dd.  Nostrils  oval ;  tail  more  than  §•  length  of  wing. 

e.  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way  down  in  front,  the 

feathers  scarcely  separated  behind.         .         ASTUR,  7. 

ee.  Tarsus  feathered  less  than  one-third  down  in  front,  the 

feathers  widely  separated  behind.       .      ACCIPITER,  8. 

IV.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  and  behind. 

/.  Face  with  a  slight  ruff;  tarsus  twice  length  of  middle  toe; 

upper  tail  coverts  white CIRCUS,  6. 

ff.  No  ruff;  3  or  4  outer  primaries  einargiuate ;  rump  not  white. 

BuTEOj  10. 


FALCONID^E. — XLV.  Ill 

fff.  No  ruff;  4  primaries  emarginate ;  tail  coverts  white ;  tail 
black. ASTURINA,  9. 

/,  FALGO,  Linnaeus.     FALCONS. 

*  First  primary  only  emarginate  on  inner  web ;  2cl  longest,  1st 

shorter  than  4th ;  tarsal  plates  small ;  sexes  colored  alike, 
f  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe,  scarcely  feathered  below 
joint.     (Falco.) 

1.  F.   com  munis,  Gm.      PEREGRINE   FALCON.     DUCK 
HAAVK.     Blackish  ash  with  paler  waves;  below  whitish, 
barred;  black  cheek  patches;  L.  16;  W.  13;  T.  7.     U. 
S.,  not  common. 

\\  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  feathered  for  some 
distance.    (Hierofalco,  Cuv.) 

2.  F.   sacer,  Forst.      GYRFALCON.      Tarsus  feathered 
half  way  down,  with  only  a  bare  strip  behind;  white  or 
ashy  with  dark  markings;  L.  24;  W.  16;  T.  10.    Northern 
regions  of  both  continents;  var.  islandicus,  S.  to  U.  S. 
in  winter.     (F.  gyrfalco,  L.) 

3.  F.  mexicanus,  Licht.      LANIER  FALCON.      Tarsus 
feathered  ^  way  down;  general  color  brown;  L.  18;  W. 
14;  T.  8.     S.  W.,  E.  to  Ills. 

**  Two  primaries  emarginate  i   tarsal  plates  enlarged  in  front, 

appearing  like  scutella. 

J  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe;  basal  joints  of  toes  without 
transverse  scutella.    (jffisalon,  Kaup.) 

4.  F.  columbarius,  L.     PIGEON   HAAVK.     AMERICAN 
MERLIN.       Ashy    blue   or   blackish    above,    variegated 
below;  L.  13;  W.  8;  T.  5.     U.  S. 

\i  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe ;  basal  joints  of  toes  with 
transverse  scutella.    (Tinnunculus,  Vieill.) 

5.  F.    sparverius,    L.      SPARROAV    HAAVK.       RUSTY - 
CROWNED   FALCON.      Back   tawny;    wings   bluish    and 
black;  seven  black  blotches  about  head;  tail  chestnut, 


112  BIRDS. 

with  a  broad  black  band  in  $,  and  a  narrow  terminal  one 
of  white;  below  white  or  tawny;  L.  11;  W.  7;  T.  5. 
U.  S.,  abundant. 

2.  PANDION,  Savigny.     OSPREYS. 
1.  P.  haliaetus,  (L.)  Savigny.     OSPREY.     FISH  HAWK. 
Dark  brown;  head,  neck  and  under  parts  mostly  white; 
feet  very  large;  L.  24;  W.  20;  T.  10.     U.  S.;  feeds  on 
fishes. 

3.  NA  UCLERUS,  Vigors.     SWALLOW -TAILED  KITES. 

1.  N.  furcatus,  (L.)  Vig.  SWALLOW  -  TAILED  KITE. 
Lustrous  black;  head,  neck  and  lower  parts  white;  W. 
17;  T.  14.  Southern,  N.  to  Penn.  and  Minn. 

4.  ICTINIA,  Vieillot.     BLUE  KITES. 
1.  /.  subcceruleus,  (Bart.)   Coues.     MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 
Chiefly  lead  blue,  wings  with  chestnut;  L.  15;  "W.  12; 
T.  6£.     Southern,  N.  to  Penn.  and  Wis.      (I.  mississip- 
piensis,  Auct.) 

5.  ELANUS,  Savigny.     WHITE-TAILED  KITES. 
1.  E.  glaucus,  (Bartr.)  Coues.     BLACK  -  SHOULDERED 
KITE.     L.  17.     Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills.     (E.  leucurus, 
Auct.) 

6.  CIRCUS,  Lacepede.     MARSH  HARRIERS. 
1.  C.  cyaneus  (L.)  var.  hudsonius,  (L.)  Coues.     MARSH 
HARRIER.     Pale  bluish  or  brown;  rump  and  under  parts 
whitish;  L.  18;  W.  15;  T.  9.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

7.  ASTUR,  Lacepede.     GOSHAWKS. 
1.  A.  palumbarius,  (L.)  var.  atr/cap///us,  (Wils.)  Coues. 
GOSHAWK.      Slate  blue  with  white  superciliary  stripe; 
tail  with  four  dark  bars;  L.  24;  W.  14;  T.  11.    Northern, 
S.  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 


FALCONID^E. — XLV.  113 

8.  ACCIPITER,  Brisson.     HAWKS. 

=  Nisus,  Cuvier. 

1.  A.   fuscus,  ^Gm.)  Bon.      SHARP  -  SHINNED  HAWK. 
"  PIGEON   HAWK."      Bare   portion   of    tarsus   in   front, 
longer  than  middle  toe;  tarsus  "booted"  in  <$;   general 
color  dark  brown;  L.  12;  W.  7;  T.  6.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

2.  A.  cooperi,  Bon.      CHICKEN  HAWK.      Bare  tarsus 
shorter  than  middle  toe;  L.  18;  W.  10;  T.  8.     N.  Am. 

9.  ASTURINA,  Vieillot.     GRAY  HAWKS. 

1.  A.  nitida,  (Lath.)  var.  plagiata,  (Schl.)  Coues.  GRAY 
HAWK.  L.  18;  W.  10;  T.  7£.  Mexican,  straying  to  S. 
Ills. 

10.  BUTEO,  Cuvier.     BUZZARDS. 
*  4  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web.    (Suteo.) 

1.  B.  borealis,  (Gm.)  Vieill.  HEN  HAWK.   RED-TAILED 
BUZZARD.     Dark  brown;  much  barred  and  streaked;  tail 
bright  chestnut  red  above;  L.  23;  W.  15J;  T.  8J.     U.  S., 
common. 

2.  B.  //'neatus,  (Gm.)  Jard.     RED  -  SHOULDERED  BUZ- 
ZARD.    Dark  reddish   brown,  variegated;  bend  of  wing 
orange  brown;  L.  22;  W.  14;  T.  9.      Smaller  than  the 
preceding,  although  nearly  as  long.  E.  N.  Am.,  abundant. 
**  3  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web.  (Craxirex,  Gould.) 

3.  B.  swainsoni,  Bon.     SWAINSON'S  BUZZARD.     Gray, 
variously  streaked,  usually  a  dark  area  on  throat  and 
breast;  tail  with  six  or  more  narrow  dark  bars;  variable; 
L.  20;  W.  16;  T.  8£.     Western;  E.  to  Ind.  and  Mass. 

4.  B.  pennsylvanicus,  (Wils.)  Bon.     BROAD -WINGED 
HAWK.    Brown  above,  whitish  or  fulvous  below,  variously 
streaked  and  barred;  conspicuous  dark  cheek  patches; 
tail  with  broad  dark  bands  alternating  with  narrower 


114  BIRDS. 

pale  ones,  white -tipped;  L.  18;  W.  11;  T.  7.     E.  U.  S.; 
a  stout,  handsome,  though  small  hawk. 

//.  ARCHIBUTEO,  Brehm.     SQUIRREL  HAWKS. 

1.  A.  lagopus,  (Brunn.),  var.  sancti-johannis,  (Gm.) 
Ridg.  ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK.  BLACK  HAWK.  Chiefly 
whitish  but  sometimes  entirely  black;  L.  24;  W.  18;  T. 
10.  N.  Am. 

12.  AQUILA,  Mohring.     GOLDEN  EAGLES. 

1.  A.  chrysaetusr  (L.)  GOLDEN  EAGLE.  Glossy  purplish 
brown;  head  and  neck  golden  brown;  quills  blackish; 
L.  36;  W.  25;  T.  16.  N.  Am.,  chiefly  northerly. 

13.  HALIAETUS,  Savigny.     BALD  EAGLES. 

1.  H.  leucocephalus,  (L.)  Savigny.  BALD  EAGLE.  Dark 
brown;  head,  neck  and  tail  white  (after  the  third  year); 
L.  36;  W.  25;  T.  14.  N.  Am.,  every  where;  feeds  on 
fishes.  "A  piratical  parasite  of  the  Osprey,  otherwise 
notorious  as  the  emblem  of  the  Republic."  (Coues.) 

FAMILY  XLVI.  — CATHARTID^E. 

(The  New  World  Vultures.) 

Head  and  part  of  neck  bare.  Eyes  lateral,  not  over- 
hung; ears  small.  Bill  lengthened,  weak  and  but  little 
hooked;  nostrils  perforate.  Wings  very  long  and  strong, 
giving  a  strength  and  grace  of  flight  scarcely  excelled. 
Hind  toe  short,  and  elevated;  front  toes  long,  some- 
what webbed,  with  rather  weak  and  straightish  claws. 
Large  turkey -like  raptores,  without  the  strength  and 
spirit. of  the  hawks  and  owls;  "  voracious  and  indiscrimi- 
nate gormandizers  of  carrion  and  animal  refuse  of  all 
sorts,  hence  efficient  and  almost  indispensable  scavengers 
in  the  warm  countries  where  they  abound."  (Coues.) 


CATHARTID^E. — XLVI.  115 

Two  species,  the  Condor  and  the  California  Vulture,  are 
among  the  largest  birds  of  flight  in  the  world.  All  are 
American,  the  Old  World  Vultures  ( Vulturince)  being 
Vulture -like  hawks.  Genera  five;  species  six  or  eight. 

*  Wings  very  long,  primaries  reaching  to  end  of  tail  or  farther ; 
skin  of  neck  not  corrugated ;  a  tuft  of  bristles  in  front  of 
eye RHINOGRYPHUS,  1. 

**  Wings  short,  scarcely  reaching  middle  of  tail ;  skin  of  neck 
corrugated ;  no  bristles  in  front  of  eye.  .  CATHAJRISTA,  2. 

/.  RHINOGRYPHUS,  Ridgway.     TUEKEY  BUZZARDS. 
<   Cathartes,  Illiger. 

1.  R.  aura,  (L.)  Ridg.  TURKEY  BUZZARD.  Black, 
lustrous  above;  skin  of  head  and  neck  red;  L.  30;  W. 
22;  T.  12.  N.  Am.,  abundant,  southward. 

2.  CATHARISTA,ViQi\\oi.    CARRION  CROWS. 

1.  C.  atrata,  (Bartr.)  Gray.  CARRION  CROW.  Uniform 
dull  black;  L.  24;  W.  17;  T.  8.  N.  C.  to  Mexico; 
rarely  straying  northward. 


OEDEE  K-COLUMB^E. 

(The  Doves) 

Bill  straight,  compressed,  the  horny  tip  separated  by 
a  constriction  from  the  soft  part.  Nostrils  opening 
beneath  a  soft,  tumid  membrane.  Frontal  feathers 
sweeping  in  a  strongly  convex  outline  across  base  of 
upper  mandible;  tomias  meeting.  Hind  toe  on  a  level 
with  the  rest  (except  in  Stamcenas,  etc.),  the  others 
usually  not  webbed.  Tarsus  mostly  scutellate  in  front, 
elsewhere  reticulate,  the  plates  soft.  Head  small. 


116  BIRDS. 

Plumage  soft,  compact,  the  feathers  very  loosely  inserted. 
Altricial;  monogamous.    . 

FAMILY  XLVIL— COLUMBINE. 

( The  Doves) 

"Wings  long,  pointed.  Tail  never  forked,  of  12  or  14 
feathers;  male  with  the  neck  iridescent.  Species  about 
three  hundred,  found  ,in  most  regions,  but  most  abundant 
in  the  East  Indies.  Besides  the  following,  quite  a  num- 
ber of  species  occur  in  the  Southern  States.  The  com- 
mon domesticated  dove  (Columba  lima)  is  a  fair  type  of 
the  family. 

*  Tarsus  feathered  at  the  suffrage,  shorter  than  the  lateral  toes ; 
tail  very  long,  wedge-shaped,  of  12  feathers.     ECTOPISTES,  1. 
**  Tarsus  entirely  bare,  longer  than  the  lateral  toes. 
f  Tail  long,  pointed,  of  14  feathers ;  length  more  than  10. 

ZEN^DUBA,  2. 
ff  Tail  short,  rounded,  of  12  feathers ;  length  less  than  8. 

CHAM^PELIA,  3. 

/.  ECTOPISTES,  Swainson.     PASSENGER  PIGEONS. 
1.  E.  migraiorius,  (L.)  Sw.   WILD  PIGEON.   Bluish  with 
reddish  and  violet  tinges,  reddish  below;  L.  17;  W.  7£; 
T.  8.     N.  A.,  abundant;  gregarious. 

2.  ZENSEDURA,  Bonaparte.     MOURNING  DOVES. 

1.  Z.  caro/inensis,  (L.)  Bon.  MOURNING  DOVE.  TURTLE 
DOVE.  CAROLINA  DOVE.  Brownish  olive,  glossed  with 
blue  and  wine  color;  plumage  with  metallic  lustre;  L. 
12;  W.  5f ;  T.  6f .  U.  S.,  abundant. 

3.  CHAMMPELIA,  Swainson.      GROUND  DOVES. 

1.  .C  passerinq,  (L.)  Sw.  GROUND  DOVE.  Grayish 
olive,  with  bluish  gloss;  L.  6J;  W.  3£;  T.  2|.  Southern, 
N.  to  Washington,  D.C. 


MELEAGBIIXE.  —  XLVIII.  117 


OEDEB  L.- 

(The  Gallinaceous  Birds.) 

Bill  short,  stout,  convex,  horny,  not  constricted;  nostrils 
scaled  or  feathered,  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  over- 
lapping. Head  often  partly  or  wholly  naked,  sometimes 
with  fleshy  processes.  Legs  moderate,  stout;  hind  toe 
elevated  (excepting  in  Cracidce,  etc.),  smaller  than  the 
other  toes,  sometimes  wanting.  Tarsus  broadly  scutellate 
(sometimes  feathered),  occasionally  spurred  in  the  males; 
claws  blunt,  not  much  curved.  Wings  short,  strong,  con- 
cave; tail  various,  sometimes  wanting,  often  immensely 
developed.  Precocial,  often  polygamous. 

A  large  order  comprising  the  various  kinds  of  domesti- 
cated fowl  as  well  as  the  chief  game  birds  of  most 
countries. 

FAMILY  XLVIII.  —  MELEAGRIDJE. 

(The  Turkeys.) 

Large  birds,  with  the  head  and  neck  unfeathered, 
covered  with  scattered  hairs,  and  more  or  less  caruncu- 
late.  Bill  moderate;  nostrils  bare;  forehead  with  an 
elongate  fleshy  process.  Tarsus  spurred  in  male;  hind 
toe  elevated.  Tail  nearly  as  long  as  wing,  truncate,  of 
more  than  twelve  feathers.  Breast  of  male  mostly  with 
a  tuft  of  long  bristles.  Genus  one;  species  two.  M. 
ocellatus,  of  tropical  America,  and  the  common  Turkey. 

/.  MELEAGRIS,  Linnaeus.     TURKEYS. 

1.  M.  gallopavo,  L.  WILD  TURKEY.  Glossy,  coppery 
black;  L.  48;  W.  21;  T.  18J.  Canada  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, and  south  to  Mexico,  becoming  extinct  eastwards. 
The  domestic  Turkey  is  descended  from  a  Mexican 
variety. 


118  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  XLIX.  — 

(The  Grouse.} 

Nostrils  and  tarsus  densely  feathered.  Toes  usually 
naked.  Tail  various  with  sixteen  to  twenty  feathers. 
Usually  a  naked  strip  over  eye;  sides  of  neck  often  with 
a  bare  patch  or  lengthened  feathers,  or  both.  Genera 
seven;  species  fifteen;  chiefly  North  American. 
*  Toes  naked. 

f  Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes. 

\  Tail  of  16  feathers ;  colors  dark.        .        .        .    CANACE,  1. 
#  Tail  of  18  feathers. 
a.  Neck  without  peculiar  feathers ;  middle  tail  feathers  pro- 

jecting PEDICECETES,  2. 

aa.  Neck  with  peculiar,  elongated,  lanceolate  feathers  above 

a  large,  bare,  bright-colored  patch.      .      CUPIDONIA,  3. 

ff  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way ;    tail  of   18  soft,  broad 

feathers BONASA,  4. 

**  Toes  feathered ;  winter  plumage  pure  white.      .      LAGOPUS,  5. 

/.  CANACE,  Reichenbach.     AMERICAN  GROUSE. 
<   Tetrao,  L. 

1.  C.    canadensis,   (L.)   Reich.      SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE. 
CANADA  GROUSE.     Black  above  with  plumbeous  mark- 
ings; mostly  black  below  with  white  spots;  tail  with  an 
orange  brown  terminal  band;  $  smaller,  black  interrupted 
or  streaky;  L.  16;  W.  6|;  T.  5£.      Spruce  swamps,  N. 
U.  S.  and  Northward. 

2.  PEDKECETESjR&ird.     SHARP -TAILED  GROUSE. 

1.  P.  phasianellus,  (L.)  var.  columbianus,  (Ord.)  Coues. 
SHARP -TAILED  GROUSE.  Chiefly  yellowish  brown  and 
white;  sexes  alike;  L.  18;  W.  8f;  T.  5.  Illinois  to 
Colorado,  N.  and  W. 


PERDICID^E. — L.  119 

3.  CUPIDONIA,  Reich.  PINNATED  GEOUSE. 
1.  C.  cupido,  (L.)  Baird.  PRAIRIE  HEN.  PRAIRIE 
CHICKEN.  Sides  of  neck  with  a  tuft  of  long  pointed 
feathers,  beneath  which  is  a  patch  of  bare,  red  skin, 
capable  of  great  inflation;  black,  tawny  and  white,  barred 
and  streaked;  L.  17;  W.  9;  T.  4£;  $  smaller.  Prairies, 
etc.,  Martha's  Vineyard  to  La.  and  N.;  nearly  extermin- 
ated eastward. 

4.  BONASA,  Stephens.     RUFFED  GROUSE. 

1.  B.  umbellus,  (L.)  Stephens.  PARTRIDGE  (North.) 
PHEASANT  (South.)  Crested;  sides  of  neck  with  a  ruff 
of  soft  black  feathers;  variegated,  reddish  or  grayish 
brown,  with  blackish  and  pale;  L.  18;  W.  7i;  T.  7.  E. 
U.  S.,  abundant  in  woodland. 

5.  LAG  OPUS,  Vieillot.     PTARMIGANS. 

1.  L.  a/bus,  (Gm.)  And.  WHITE  PTARMIGAN.  WILLOW 
GROUSE.  Fore  parts  cinnamon  brown,  variegated  with 
blackish;  in  winter  pure  white;  bill  stout;  L.  16;  W.  8; 
T.  5.  British  America;  N.  U.  S.  (rarely,  in  winter.) 

FAMILY  L.— PERDICID^E. 

(The  Partridges.') 

Nostrils  unfeathered,  protected  by  a  naked  scale; 
tarsus  bare  and  scutellate,  circumorbital  space  usually 
not  bare;  in  most  respects  similar  to  the  Grouse,  but 
smaller.  Our  species  are  crested  (excepting  the  com- 
mon Quail)  and  Western  or  Southwestern. 

/.  ORTYX,  Stephens.     BOB -WHITES. 

1.  0.  v/rginianus,  (L.)  Bon.  QUAIL  (North.)  PART- 
RIDGE (South.)  BOB -WHITE.  Forehead,  line  through 
eyes,  chin  and  throat  white,  brownish  yellow  in  $; 


120  BIRDS. 

crown  dark ;  plumage  generally  chestnut  red,  barred 
and  streaked;  L.  9fc  W.  5;  T.  3.  E.  U.  S.,  and  West 
Indies;  W.  to  Plains. 


OEDEE  M.-LIMICOL^E. 

(The  Shore  Birds.) 

Tibia  more  or  less  naked  below  (sometimes  very 
slightly);  legs,  and  usually  neck  also,  elongated;  hind 
toe  free  and  elevated,  often  wanting.  Head  globose, 
abruptly  sloping  to  the  base  of  the  bill,  completely 
feathered  (except  in  Philomachus  <$);  gape  short;  bill 
weak,  flexible,  more  or  less  soft  -  skinned,  and  therefore 
sensitive,  blunt  at  tip,  without  hard  cutting  edges  — 
fitted  for  probing  in  the  mud;  nostrils  slit-like,  surround- 
ed by  soft  skin,  never  feathered;  body  never  strongly 
compressed  or  depressed;  nature  precocial. 

Birds  of  medium  or  small  size,  more  or  less  aquatic; 
found  in  most  regions;  very  abundant  in  America. 

FAMILY  LI.  — CHARADRIID^. 

(The  Plovers.) 

Head  rather  large,  nearly  globose;  bill  of  moderate 
length,  shaped  somewhat  like  a  pigeon's  bill,  with  a 
constriction  behind  the  horny  terminal  portion;  nasal 
fossae  lined  with  soft  skin,  through  which  the  slit  -  like 
nostrils  open.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  usually  reaching 
beyond  the  tip  of  the  short  tail,  sometimes  spurred. 
Toes  usually  three,  with  basal  web;  tarsus  reticulated; 
tibiae  naked  below.  Sexes  similar,  but  seasonal  changes 
of  plumage  great.  Species  sixty  or  more,  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 
*  Plumage  speckled ;  black  below  in  breeding  season. 


CHARIDRIID2E. — LI.  121 

f  Hind  toe  present ,  very  short,     .        .        .        SQUATAROLA,  1. 

ff  Hind  toe  absent CHARADKICS,  2. 

**  Plumage  not  speckled ;  head  and  neck  with  dark  bands  in  the 
breeding  season ;  toes  3.        .        .        .        .       ^EGIALITIS,  3. 

/.  SQUATAROLA,  Cuvier.     WHISTLING  PLOVERS. 

1.  S.  helvetica,  (L.)  Cuv.  BLACK  -  BELLIED  PLOVER. 
Ox-EYE.  Grayish,  speckled;  black  below  in  breeding 
season,  at  other  times  white;  L.  11^,  W.  7;  T.  3;  B. 
1£;  Ts.  2.  In  most  parts  of  the  world. 

2.  CHARADRIUS,  L.    GOLDEN  PLOVERS. 

1.  C.  fulvus  (<jrm.)  var.  virginicus,  (Borck. )  Coues. 
GOLDEN  PLOVER.  FROST  BIRD.  Dark  and  grayish 
above,  profusely  speckled,  some  of  the  spots  bright 
yellow;  black  below  in  breeding  season,  at  other  times 
grayish;  L.  10i;  W.  7;  T.  3;  B.  1;  Ts.  If.  N.  Am.,  a 
well  known  game  bird. 

3.  JEGIAIITIS,  Boie.     RING  -  NECK  PLOVERS. 
*  Bill  black,  rather  long;  L.  8  or  more. 

1.  JE.  vociferus,  (L.)  Cass.    KILDEER  PLOVER.    Brown; 
rump  bright  orange  brown ;  tail  with  black,  white,  and 
orange;  two  black  bars  across  breast,  and  one  above  the 
white  forehead;  L.  9fc;  W.  6£;  T.  3J.      N.  Am.,  abund- 
ant in  the  Miss.  Valley. 

**  Bill  black-tipped,  short  and  stout;  L.  7  or  less. 

2.  /E .  semipalmaius,  (Bon.)  Cab.    RING  -  NECK  PLOVER. 
Dark  ashy  brown;  black  bands  broad;  feet  semipalmate; 
L.  7.     N.  Am. 

3.  JE.  melodus,  (Ord.)  Cab.     PIPING  PLOVER.     Very 
pale  ashy  brown,  clear  white  below;  dark  bands  narrow 
and  faint;    toes    slightly  webbed;    L.  6|-.     E.  N.  Am., 
abundant  along  the  coast. 

6 


122  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  LIL  —  HJEMATOPODID^. 

(The  Turnstones.) 

Bill  hard,  acute,  or  truncate ;  nasal  fossae  short,  broad, 
and  shallow.  Legs  short,  stout,  brightly  colored.  Genera 
two,  not  much  alike;  species  six  or  eight;  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 

*  Toes  3,  webbed  at  base ;  tarsus  reticulate,  shorter  than  the  trun- 

cate, compressed,  almost  woodpecker-like  bill. 

H.EMATOPUS,  1. 

**  Toes  4,  not  webbed ;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  as  long  as  the 
sharp,  pointed  bill STKEPSILAS,  2. 

1.  HSEMATOPUS,  Linnaeus.     OYSTER  CATCHERS. 

1.  H.  pa//iatus,  Temminck.  OYSTER  CATCHER,.  Ashy 
brown  and  blackish,  mostly  white  below;  L.  18;  W.  10; 
T.  4£;  B.  3.  Coasts. 

2.  STREPSILAS,  Linnaeus.     TURNSTONES. 

1.  S.  interpres,  (L.)  Illiger.  TURNSTONE.  Variegated; 
black,  white,  brown,  and  chestnut  above;  mostly  white 
below;  no  reddish  in  winter;  L.  8J;  W.  6;  T.  2£. 
Cosmopolitan;  abundant. 

FAMILY  LIIL— RECURVIROSTRID^. 

(The  Awcets.) 

Legs  excessively  long.  Bill  very  slender,  long,  acute, 
often  recurved.  Genera  three,  species  eight;  in  most 
parts  of  the  world.  Himantopus  is  said  to  have  the 
longest  legs  relatively  of  any  bird. 

*  Toes  4,  full  webbed ;  bill  recurved,  flattened,  tapering  to  a  needle- 

like  point ;  plumage  beneath  thickened  as  in  clucks ;  swim- 
mers  RECTIRVIROSTRA,  1. 

**  Toes  3,  semipalmate ;  bill  nearly  straight,  not  flattened. 

HIMANTOPUS,  2. 


PHALAKOPODID^E. — LlV.  123 

/.  RECURVIROSTRA,  Linnaeus.    AVOCETS. 
1.  R.  americana,  Gm.,    AVOCET.      BLUE   STOCKING. 
White,  marked  with  black  and  cinnamon;  legs  blue;  L. 
18;  W.  8;  T.  3f     U.  S. 

2.  HIMANTOPUS,  Brisson.     STILTS. 
1.   H.   nigricollis,  Vieillot.      STILT.      LONG   SHANKS. 
LAWYER.     Glossy  black,  white  below,  legs  pink;  L.  15; 
W.  9;  T.  3;  Ts.  4.     U.  S. 

FAMILY  LIV.— PHALAROPODID^E. 

(The  Phalaropes.) 

Snipe-like  birds  with  the  toes  lobed,  as  in  the  coots 
and  grebes,  but  the  lobes  narrower.  Swimmers;  body 
depressed  and  the  under  plumage  thick  as  in  the  Ducks. 
Tarsus  much  compressed.  Three  species  representing 
as  many  genera;  of  northern  regions  of  both  hemis- 
pheres, southward  in  winter. 

*  Bill  flattened ;  membranes  scalloped.  .  .  PHALAROPUS,  1. 
**  Bill  subulate ;  membranes  scalloped.  .  .  LOBIPES,  2. 
***  Bill  subulate ;  membranes  plain.  .  .  STEGANOPUS,  3. 

/.  PHALAROPUS,  Brisson.     RED  PHALAROPES. 
1.  P.  fulicarius,  (L.)  Bon.    RED  PHALAROPE.   Variega- 
ted above,  purplish  chestnut  below;  young  white  below; 
L.  8;  W.  5;  T.  2J;  B.  1.     Northern  Am. 

2.  LOBIPES,  Cuvier.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPES. 

1.  L  hyperboreus,  (L.)  Cuv.  NORTHERN  PHALAROPE. 
Grayish  black,  variegated;  rump  and  under  parts  white; 
sides  of  neck  with  chestnut  stripe.  Northern  regions. 

3.  STEGANOPUS,  Vieillot.     PHALAROPES. 
1.   5.   wilsoni,   (Sab.)   Coues.     WILSON'S  PHALAROPE. 


124  BIRDS. 

Ashy  above,  variegated;  rump  and  under  parts  white; 
sides  of  neck  with  a -black  stripe  which  changes  to  chest- 
nut below.  Northern  regions. 

FAMILY  LV.—  SCOLOPACID^E. 

(The  Snipe.) 

% 

Bill  elongated,  usually  longer  than  the  head;  if  short 
not  plover  -  like,  being  soft  -  skinned  throughout  (hard 
when  dry);  nasal  grooves  narrow  channels  ranging 
from  half  to  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  bill; 
sides  of  lower  mandible  usually  also  grooved;  nostrils 
narrow  exposed  slits;  head  feathered.  Wings  usually 
thin  and  pointed ;  tail  short  and  soft ;  tibiae  rarely 
entirely  feathered.  Tarsus  never  entirely  reticulate  and 
usually  scutellate  in  front  and  behind;  hind  toe  present 
(except  in  Calidris);  front  toes  cleft  or  slightly  webbed; 
size  medium  or  small.  Sexes  alike  or  female  slightly 
larger ;  seasonal  changes  in  plumage  often  strongly 
marked.  Eggs  usually  four,  placed  with  the  small  ends 
together  in  a  slight  nest  or  depression  in  the  ground; 
notes  various;  mostly  migratory  or  gregarious.  Genera 
fifteen  or  more,  species  about  ninety;  chiefly  of  northern 
regions,  but  some  species  in  most  parts  of  the  world. 

*  Toes  3. CALIDRIS,  8. 

**  Toes  4. 

f  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only;  bill  slender,  decurved,  very 
much  longer  than  the  head.     .        .        .      NUMENIUS,  15. 

ft  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  and  behind. 
£  Feet  semi  palmate;  toes  somewhat  webbed  at  base. 
a  Tail  barred  crosswise,  with  light  and  dark  colors. 
6.  Gape  not  reaching  beyond  base  of  culmen. 
c.  Culmen  furrowed ;  length  less  than  12. 

MACRORHAMPHUS,  4 


OPACID^E. — LV.  125 

cc.  Culmen  unfurrowed ;  length  more  than  12. 

LlMOSA,  9. 

lib.  Gape  reaching  beyond  base  of  culinen. 
d.  Length  more  than  9. 

e.  Bill  longer  than  head.    .       .       .      TOTANUS,  10. 
ee.  Bill  not  longer  than  head. 
/.  Tail  more  than  half  the  length  of  wing. 

*  ACTITURUS,  13. 

ff.  Tail  less  than  half  the  length  of  wing. 

PHILOMACHUS,  12. 

dd.  Length  less  than  9 ;  second  toe  unwebbed. 
g.  Bill  grooved  nearly  to  tip ;  back  not  speckled  with 
white ;  adult  with  black  spots  below. 

TRINGOIDES,  11. 

gg.  Bill  grooved  about  half  way  to  tip ;  back  speckled 
with  white,  not  spotted  below.    .    TOTANUS,  10. 
aa.  Tail  not  barred. 
h.  One  minute  web;  primaries  mottled  with  black. 

TRYNGITES,  14. 

7i7i.  Feet  with  two  plain  webs. 

i.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head.      .      .      EREUNETES,  6. 
ii.  Bill  much  longer  than  head.     .      MICROPALAMA,  5. 
U  Toes  not  webbed  at  all. 

,;".  First  primary  attenuate ;  bill  straight,  shorter  than  head ; 
culinen  grooved SCOLOPAX,  2. 

jy.  First  three  primaries  attenuate ;  bill  as  in  Scolopax. 

PHILOHELA,  I. 
jjj.  Primaries  not  attenuate. 

k.  Bill  straight,  about  twice  as  long  as  head. 

GALLINAGO,  3. 

Kk.  Bill  straight,  much  shorter  than   head ;    primaries 

mottled  with  black.     .        .        .       TRYNGITES,  14. 

kkk.  All  other  Sandpipers.        .        .        .        TRINGA,  7. 

/.  PHILOMELA,  Gray.     AMERICAN  WOODCOCKS. 
1.   P.   minor,   ( Gm. )   Gray.      AMERICAN  WOODCOCK. 


126  BIRDS. 

Variegated,  black,  brown,  gray,  and  russet;  below  warm 
brown;  eye  high  and  far  back;  L.  11;  W.  5;  B.  3;  T. 
1J.  E.  U.  S.,  in  swamps,  etc. 

2.  SCOLOPAX,  Linnaeus.     EUROPEAN  WOODCOCKS. 

1.  S.  rusf/co/a,  L.  EUROPEAN  WOODCOCK.  General 
appearance  of  Philoliela,  but  a  third  larger.  European; 
accidental  on  our  Atlantic  coast. 

3.  GALLINAGO,  Leach.     SNIPE. 

1.  G.  wilsoni,  (Temm.)  Bon.  AMERICAN  SNIPE.  WIL- 
SON'S SNIPE.  Back  varied  with  black  and  bay;  crown 
black,  with  a  pale  median  stripe;  bill  straight,  very  long; 
L.  11;  W.  5;  B.  2J;  leg  naked,  3;  T.  2£.  E.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

4.  MACRORHAMPHUS,  Leach.      RED -BREASTED  SNIPE. 

1.  HI.  griseus,  (Gm.)  Leach.  GRAY  SNIPE.  BROWN- 
BACK.  Blackish  and  grayish ;  breast  bay  in  summer; 
bill  long  nearly  as  in  Gallinago;  L.  11;  W.  5^;  T.  2J. 
North  America;  abundant  coastwise. 

5.  MICROPALAMA,  Baird.     STILT  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  M.  himaniopus,  (Bon.)  Baird.  STILT  SANDPIPER. 
Blackish,  marked  with  chestnut,  etc.;  ashy  gray  in  win- 
ter; bill  nearly  as  in  Gallinayo;  L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  2J.  N. 
Am.,  not  abundant. 

6.  EREUNETES,mger.     SAND -PEEPS. 

1.  E.  pusillus,  (L.)  Cass.  SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER. 
PEEP.  Plumage  various,  usually  pale,  white  below ; 
small;  L.  6£;  W.  3|;  T.  2.  N.  Am.;  abundant  along 
beaches. 


SCOLOPACID^. — LV.  127 

7.  TRINGA,  Linnagus.     SANDPIPERS. 

*  Bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe  with  claw,  of  about  equal  length. 

(Actodromas.) 

f  Upper  tail  coverts  (except  the  lateral  series)  black  or  dark 
brown ;  throat  with  an  ashy  or  brownish  suffusion  and 
dusky  streaks. 

1.  T.   minut///a,  Vieill.      LEAST   SANDPIPER.      PEEP. 
Smallest  of  the"  Sandpipers,  resembling  Ereunetes,  but 
the  feet  different;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

2.  T.  bairdiif  (Coues)  Scl.  BAIRD'S  SANDPIPER.  Colors 
of  preceding  but  larger;  throat  but  little  streaked;  L.  7 
to  7i;    W.  4f ;    T.  2£;    B.  f.     America,  rare  E.  of  the 
Mississippi  R. 

3.  T.  ma.cula.ta,  Vieill.   PECTORAL  SNIPE.   JACK  SNIPE. 
GRASS  SNIPE.     Crown  unlike  neck;  throat  ashy-shaded 
and  sharply  streaked;  L.  9;  W.  5£;  B.  1£.      N.  Am., 
abundant. 

ft  Upper  tail  coverts  white,  with  or  without  dusky  marks ;  throat 
sharply  streaked,  with  little  if  any  ashy  suffusion. 

4.  T.    fuscicollis,   Vieill.      WHITE  -  HUMPED    SAND- 
PIPER.    L.  7£;  W.  4f ;  T.  2J-.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  along 
the  coast. 

**  Bill,  tarsus,  and  middle  toe,  obviously  not  of  equal  length. 
\  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe ;  tibiae  feathered.  (Arquatetta.) 

5.  T.  maritima,  Bru'nnich.    PURPLE  SANDPIPER.    Ashy 
black  with  purplish  reflections;  feathers  with  pale  edg- 
ings; lower  parts,  etc.,  mostly  white;  bill  nearly  straight; 
L.  9;  W.  5;  T.  2f ;  B.  1±.     Atlantic  Coast. 

$  Tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe ;  tibiae  bare  below. 
a.  Bill  slightly  decurvecl,  much  longer  than  tarsus.  (Pelidna) 

6.  T.  alpina  (L.)  var.  americana,  Cass.     AM.  DUNLIN. 
Ox  -  BIRD.       BLACK  -  BELLIED     SANDPIPER.       Chestnut 
brown  above;  feathers  black  centrally;  belly,  in  summer, 


128  BIKDS. 

with  a  broad  black  area;    L.   9;  W.  5;  T.  2£;  B.  If. 
N.  Am. 

an.  Bill  perfectly  straight.     (Tringa.) 

7.  T.  canutus,  L.  ROBIN  SNIPE.  RED -BREASTED 
SANDPIPER.  Brownish  black,  brownish  red  (robin -like) 
below;  L.  11;  W.  6J;  T.  2%.  Atlantic  Coast;  abundant. 

8.  CALIDRIS,  Cuvier.     SANDERLINGS. 
1.  C.  arenaria,  (L.)  111.    SANDERLING.   RUDDY  PLOVER. 
Variegated;  form  of  T.  canutus,  but  the  hind  toe  want- 
ing;   L.  8;    W.  5;    T.  2£;    B.   1.     N.  Am.;    abundant 
coastwise. 

9.  LIMOSA,  Brisson.     GOD  WITS. 

1.  L.    fedoa,   (L.)   Ord.      GREAT   MARBLED   GODWTT. 
MARLIN.      Cinnamon    brown,  variegated  above,  nearly 
uniform  below;  tail  barred;  no  pure  white;  L.  16  to  22; 
W.  9;  T.  3J;  B.  4J.     U.  S.,  abundant  along  shores. 

2.  L  hudsonica,  (Lath.)  Sw.     BLACK -TAILED  GODWIT. 
Brownish   black  and  reddish,   more  or  less  variegated 
above  and  below;  some  white;  tail  black,  white  at  base; 
L.  15;  W.  8;  Ts.  2£;  B.  3J.     N.  Am.,  rather  northerly. 

10.   TOTANUS,  Bechstein.     TATTLERS. 

*  Toes  with  two  sub-equal  webs;   legs  dark  or  bluish.    (Sym- 
pfiemia.) 

1.  T.  semipalmatus,  Gmelin.  WILLET.    SEMIPALMATED 
TATTLER.     Grayish,  variegated;  L.  12  to  16;  W.  7|;  T. 
3;  B.  2J.     U.  S.,  common  coastwise. 

**  Toes  with  the  inner  web  very  small ;  legs  yellow.    (Glottis, 
Nilsson.) 

2.  T.  me/ano/eucus,  Gm.    GREATER  TELL-TALE.   YEL- 
LOW SHANKS.     STONE  SNIPE.     Ashy  brown,  variegated; 
bill  very  slender;  legs  long;  L.  12J;  W.  7J;  T.  3J;  B. 
2J.     N.  Am.,  frequent. 


SCOLOPACID^E. — LV.  129 

3.  T.   flavipes,   Gm.     LESSER   TELL-TALE.     YELLOW 
SHANKS.     Colors  as  in  preceding;  smaller;  legs  longer; 
L.  11;  W.  61;  T.  21;  B.  If.     U.  S.,  abundant. 

***  Toes  with  inner  web  rudimentary;   legs  blackish.    (Rhya- 
cophilus,  Kaup.) 

4.  T.  solitarius,  Wilson.     SOLITARY  TATTLER.     Olive 
brown,  streaked  and  speckled  with  whitish  above;  below 
white,  breast  with    dusky    suffusion;    bill    straight   and 
slender;    L.  9;    W.  5;    T.  2J;  B.  1J.     U.S.,  abundant 
about  secluded  ponds,  etc. 

//.   TRINGOIDES,  Bonaparte.    SPOTTED  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  T.  macularius,  (L.)  Gray.  TIP -Up.  TEETER -TAIL. 
SPOTTED  SANDPIPER.  Lustrous  drab  above,  varied  with 
black;  pure  white  below,  with  round  black  spots  in 
adult;  L.  8;  W.  4;  T.  2;  B.  1.  U.  S.,  everywhere. 

12.  PHILOMACHUS,  Mohring.     RUFFS. 
1.  P.  pugnax,  (L.)  Gray.    RUFF  ($).    REEVE  ($).  Male 
in  breeding  season  with  a  great  ruff,  and  the  face  bare; 
?  without  these  characters;  L.  10;  W.  7;  T.  2f ;  B.  1£. 
European;  accidental  on  our  coasts. 

13.  ACTITURUS,  Bonaparte.  UPLAND  SANDPIPERS. 

1.  A.  bartramius,  (Wilson)  Bon.  UPLAND  PLOVER. 

Dark  grayish,  variegated;  L.  13;  W.  7;  T.  4;  B.  !£. 
U.  S.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc. 

14.   TRYNGITES,  Cabanis.    BUFF-BREASTED  SANDPIPERS. 
1.  T.  rufescens,  (Vieill.)  Cab.    Grayish,  reddish  below; 
quills  with  white  and  finely  mottled   with  black;  L.  8; 
W.  5J;  T.  2£.     U.  S.,  with  the  last,  but  not  common. 

15.  NUMENIUS,  Linnaeus.     CURLEWS. 
1.   N.    hng/rostr/'s,    Wils.      LONG -BILLED    CURLEW. 


130  BIRDS. 

SICKLE  BILL.     Reddish  gray,  variegated;  L.  24;  W.  12; 
T.  4;  B.  5  to  9.     U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  N.  hudsonicus,  Lath.     JACK  CURLEW.     Similar,  but 
paler;  L.  18;  W.  9;  T.  3J;  B.  3  or  4.     U.  S.,  and  north- 
ward. 

3.  N.  borea/is,  (Forst.)  Lath.     ESQUIMAUX  CURLEW. 
DOUGH  BIRD.     More  reddish;  L.  15  or  less;  W.  8J;  T. 
3;  B.  2J.     U.  S.,  northwards. 


OEDEE  K-HEEODICXtsTES. 

(The  Herons  and  Storks.) 

Birds  usually  of  large  stature,  with  compressed  body, 
long  legs  and  a  very  long  "S-bent"  neck;  tibia  naked 
below;  toes  long  and  slender,  cleft  or  slightly  webbed, 
the  hind  toe  comparatively  long  and  (usually)  not  ele- 
vated, provided  with  a  large  claw.  Wings  broad, 
rounded.  Tail  short.  Head  narrow,  gradually  contracting 
to  the  stout  base  of  the  bill,  which  is  long  and  mostly 
hard  and  acute,  with  sharp  cutting  edges;  lores,  orbital 
space,  and  often  whole  head  naked.  Plumage  with 
powder-down  tracts  (explained  below);  altricial. 

FAMILY  LVL  — ARDEIDJE. 

(T7ie  Herons.) 

Large  birds  with  the  bill  straight,  longer  than  the 
head,  compressed,  acute,  with  sharp  -  cutting  edges; 
upper  mandible  grooved;  nostrils  linear;  lores  naked, 
the  bill  appearing  to  run  directly  to  the  eyes;  rest  of 
head  feathered;  parts  of  the  body  with  "powder -down 
tracts," — strips  of  short,  dusty,  or  greasy  down -like 
feathers,  usually  three  pairs  of  these  strips,  i.  e.,  on  the 
back  above  the  hips,  on  the  belly  under  the  hips,  and 


AKDEID.E. — LVI.  131 

on  the  breast;  usually  long  plumes  from  the  back  or 
head  in  the  breeding  season.  Wings  broad.  Tail  very 
short.  Tibue  largely  naked  below;  toes  long  and  slen- 
der, hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  rest,  middle  claw 
pectinate.  Sexes  usually  colored  alike.  Species  nearly 
one  hundred;  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  abundant  in 
the  warmer  regions. 

*  Tail  of  12  feathers ;   usually  a  crest  or  train  in  the  breeding 

season ;  lateral  toes  more  than  half  length  of  tarsus, 
f  Tibia  bare  two  inches  or  more. 
$  Length  36  or  more. 

a.  General  color  bluish  or  ashy  brown.         .         ARDEA,  1. 
aa.  Color  white  at  all  times.       .        .        .        HERODIAS,  2. 
ft  Length  24  or  less. 
&.  Color  white  at  all  times ;  legs  black  and  yellow. 

GARZETTA,  3. 

&&.  General  color  bluish  (young  white),  legs  black  or  bluish. 

FLORIDA,  4. 
f  f  Tibia  bare  one  inch  or  less. 

c.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

d.  Bill  more  than  thrice  as  long  as  high.    .    BUTORIDES,  5. 

dd.  Bill  not  three  times  as  long  as  high.       NYCTIARDEA,  6. 

cc.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  more  than 

half  an  inch  deep  at  base.       .        .      NYCTIIERODIUS,  7. 

**  Tail  of  10  feathers ;  no  crest  nor  train ;  lower  neck  bare  behind ; 

length  less  than  30. 

e.  Length  more  than  18 ;  tawny,  much  streaked.      BOTAURUS,  8. 
ee.  Length  less  than  18 ;  glossy  blackish  or  chestnut. 

ARDETTA,  9. 

/.  ARDEA,  Linnaeus.     HERONS. 

1.  A.  herodias,  L.  GREAT  BLUE  HERON.  Grayish 
blue,  marked  with  black  and  white;  back  of  head  crested 
in  breeding  season;  tibia  and  edge  of  wing  chestnut 
brown;  L.  48;  W.  20;  T.  7;  B.  5£;  Ts.  6£;  $  much 
smaller.  U.  S.,  common. 


132  BIRDS. 

2.  HERODIAS,  Gray.     GREAT  WHITE  EGRETS. 
1.  H.   egretta,  (Gm.)  Gray.      GREAT  WHITE  EGRET. 
WHITE  HERON.     Pure  white;  head  without  lengthened 
feathers;  back  in  breeding  season  with  a  long  train;  L. 
40;  W.  17;  B.  5;  Ts.  6.     U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly. 

3.  GARZETTA,  Bonaparte.     LITTLE  WHITE  EGRETS. 

/.  G.  candidissima,  (Jacq.)  Bon.  SNOWY  EGRET.  Pure 
white  ;  head  and  neck  with  long  plumes  in  breeding 
season;  L.  24;  W.  12;  B.  3;  T.  4.  Southern  and  middle 
States;  abundant. 

4.  FLORIDA,  Baird.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERONS. 

1.  F.  cceru/ea,  (L.)  Baird.  LITTLE  BLUE  HERON. 
Slaty  blue;  young  white;  head  with  elongated  feathers; 
no  dorsal  plumes;  L.  24;  W.  12;  B.  3;  Ts.  4.  U.  S.; 
abundant,  southerly. 

5.  BUTORIDES,  Bonaparte.     GREEN  HERONS. 

1.  B.  virescens,  (L.)  Bon.  GREEN  HERON.  Crown, 
back  and  wings  lustrous  dark  green;  neck  purplish  cin- 
namon; crested;  back  with  lengthened  feathers;  L.  18; 
W.  7;  B.  2|.  U.  S.,  abundant. 

6.  NYCTIARDEA,  Swainson.     NIGHT  HERONS. 

1.  N.  grisea  (L.)  Steph.,  var.  ncevia,  (Bodd.)  Allen. 
QUA  BIRD.  SQUAWK.  NIGHT  HERON.  Bluish  gray, 
crown  and  shoulders  glossy  green ;  no  peculiar  feathers 
save  two  or  three  long,  white  occipital  plumes;  young 
speckled,  very  different;  L.  24;  W.  14;  B.  3;  Ts.  3. 
U.  S.,  frequent. 

7.   NYCTHERODIUS,  Auctorum.    YELLOW  -  CROWNED 

NIGHT  HERONS. 
1.  N.  violacsus,  (L.) .    YELLOW -CROWNED  NIGHT 


TANTALIDJE. — LVII.  133 

HERON.  Grayish  plumbeous;  crested;  back  with  long 
plumes;  crown,  etc.,  tawny  or  white;  young  speckled; 
size  of  last;  B.  2f ;  Ts.  3f.  U.  S. 

8.  BOTAURUS,  Stephens.     BITTERNS. 

1.  B.  mugitans,  (Bartr.)  Coues.  INDIAN  HEN.  STAKE 
DRIVER.  BITTERN.  Tawny  brown  of  various  shades, 
excessively  variegated  every  where;  dark  patch  on  each 
side  of  neck;  L.  23  to  28;  W.  12;  T.  4J;  B.  3.  U.  S., 
abundant. 

9.  ARDETTA,  Gray.     LEAST  BITTERN. 

1.  A.  exilis,  (Gm.)  Gray.  LEAST  BITTERN.  $  chiefly 
glossy  greenish  black  above,  brownish  yellow  below, 
neck  and  shoulders  with  chestnut;  $  with  purplish 
chestnut  instead  of  black;  L.  14;  W.  5;  T.  If;  B.  If. 
U.  S.,  rather  rare. 

FAMILY  LVII.  —  TANTALISE. 

(The  Ibises.) 

Stork -like  birds,  usually  of  large  size,  with  the  head 
more  or  less  bare  of  feathers  when  adult;  neck  and  legs 
long;  body  small.  Wings  large  and  rounded.  Tail 
very  short.  Tibia  bare  for  some  distance;  toes  4;  hind 
toe  lengthened  and  low  down.  Genera  four;  species 
fifteen;  swamps  and  lakes  of  warm  regions.  Sexes  alike. 
Allied  to  the  Storks  (Ciconudce)  of  the  Old  World. 

*  Tarsus  reticulate ;  bill  very  stout,  tapering,  decurved. 

TANTALUS,  1. 

**  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front;  bill  grooved,  curved  (curlew-like.) 

IBIS,  2. 

/.    TANTALUS,  Linnaeus.     WOOD  IBISES. 
1.  T.  /ocu/afor,  L.     WOOD  IBIS.     White;  quills,  tail 
and  primary  coverts  black;  bare  part  of  head  and  neck 


134  BIRDS. 

bluish;  L.  48;  W.  20;  B.  9.      Southern  States,  N.  to 
Ohio  and  Colorado. 

2.  IBIS,  Mdhring.     IBISES. 
*  Claws  curved.    (Ibis.) 

1.  /.  alba,  (L.)  V.     WHITE  IBIS.     Pure  white,  wings 
with  black;  L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  4;  B.  7.     Southern  States, 
N.  to  L.  I. 

**  Claws  nearly  straight.    (Falcinelhis.) 

2.  /.  falcinellus  var.  ordii,  (Bon.)  Allen.     GLOSSY  IBIS. 
Rich  dark  chestnut,  with  greenish  and  purplish  on  head; 
L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  4;  B.  4£.     S.  States,  N.  to  N.  England. 


OEDEE  O.-ALECTOEIDES. 

(The  Cranes  and  Mails.) 

Tibia  naked  below;  neck,  legs  and  feet  much  as  in 
Herodiones,  except  that  the  hind  toe  is  small  and  ele- 
vated, and  provided  with  a  small  claw.  Bill  various, 
usually  lengthened;  head  fully  feathered  or  else  exten- 
sively bald.  Body  more  or  less  compressed.  Wings 
short,  rounded,  concave.  Tail  very  short  and  small;  size 
various. 

FAMILY  LVIIL  —  GRUID^E. 

(The  Cranes) 

Very  large  birds  with  the  head  and  neck  extremely 
long.  Wings  large.  Tail  short.  Head  more  or  less 
naked,  with  scattered  hair -like  feathers.  Plumage 
mostly  compact.  Bill  as  long  or  longer  than  head, 
straight  and  slender;  tibiae  extensively  naked;  tarsus 
scutellate;  toes  rather  short;  hind  toe  highly  elevated. 
Genera  three;  species  fourteen,  of  various  parts  of  the 
world. 


BALLIDJE.  —  LIX.  135 

/.  GRUS,  Linnaeus.     CRANES. 

1.  G.  amer/canus,  (L.)  Ord.    WHITE  OR  WHOOPING 
CRANE.     Adult  pure  white  with  black  on  wings;    bare 
part    of    head   very   hairy;    young   grayish,   the    head 
feathered;    L.  50;  W.  24;  T.  9;  Ts.  12;  B.  6.     U.  S., 
rather  southerly. 

2.  G.  canadensis,  (L.)  Temm.     BROWN  OR  SAND-  HILL 
CRANE.       Plumbeous     gray,     never    whitening;     head 
sparsely  hairy;  smaller.     U.  S.,  chiefly  S.  and  W. 

FAMILY  LIX.—  RALLIDJ3. 

(TJie  Rails.) 

Birds  of  medium  or  small  size,  with  compressed  bodies 
and  muscular  legs.     Wings  and  tail  short.     Hind  toe 
short  and  elevated;  front  toes  very  long.     Bill  various, 
rather  short.     Plumage  blended.     Sexes  alike.     Species 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  of  most  parts  of  the  world. 
*  Forehead  feathered  ;  no  frontal  plate.    (RALLIN^E.) 
f  Bill  decurvecl,  longer  than  head.        .        .        .        RALLUS,  1. 
ft  Bill  straight,  shorter  than  head.     .        .        .        PORZANA,  2. 
**  Forehead  covered  with  a  broad,  horny,  frontal  plate. 
\  Toes  scarcely  or  not  lobate.    (GALLINTJLIN^E.) 
a.  Nostrils  linear;  tarsus  less  than  2.         .         GALLINTJLA,  3. 
aa.  Nostrils  nearly  circular;  tarsus  about  2.      PORPHYRIO,  2. 
tj:  Toes  lobate,  edged  with  broad  flaps.  (FULICIN^E.)  FULICA,  5. 


/.  RALLUS,  Linnaeus.     RAILS. 

1.  R.   longirostris,   Bodd.      CLAPPER    RAIL.      SALT- 
WATER  MARSH    HEN.      Olive  brown,  variegated   with 
ashy;  dull  reddish  brown  below;    L.  14  to  16;  W.  6;  T. 
2^;  B.  2^;  $  smaller.     Salt  marshes;  rather  southerly. 

2.  R.   elegans,   Aud.     KING   RAIL.     FRESH  -WATER 
MARSH    HEN.      Brownish    black,  with    chestnut  below 


136  BIRDS. 

and  on  wing  coverts;  much  brighter  colored  than  the 
last,  and  rather  larger.     U.  S.,  fresh-water  marshes. 

3.  R.  virginianus,  L.  VIRGINIA  RAIL.  Colors  exactly 
as  in  It.  elegans;  much  smaller;  L.  10;  W.  4;  T.  1J;  B. 
1J.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

2.  PORZANA,  Vieillot.     LITTLE  RAILS. 

1.  P.  Carolina,  (L.)  V.     CAROLINA  RAIL.    SORA.    "OR- 
TOLAN."     Olive -brown,  variegated;    face    and    middle 
line  of  throat  black;    breast  slaty  gray;    back  streaked; 
belly  barred;  L.  9;  W.  44;  T.  2.     U.  S.,  not  rare. 

2.  P.   noveboracensis,   (Gm.)   Cass.      YELLOW   RAIL. 
Variegated  above;  L.  6;  W.  3£;  T.  1£.      E.  U.  S.,  not 
common. 

3.  P.  jamaicensis,  (Gm.)  Cass.  BLACK  RAIL.  Blackish; 
L.  54.     S.  Arn.,  etc.,  rarely  in  U.  S. 

3.  GALLINULA,  Brisson.     GALLINULES. 

1.  G.  galeata,  (Licht.)  Bon.  FLORIDA  GALLINULE. 
Brownish  olive  above,  grayish  black  on  head  and  below; 
bill,  frontal  plate  and  ring  around  tibia  red;  L.  15;  W. 
74;  T.  3£;  Ts.  2.  S.  States,  straying  northward.  (Mani- 
towoc,  Wis.  Jordan.) 

4.  PORPHYRIO,  Temminck.     PURPLE  GALLINULES. 

1.  P.  martinica,  (L.)  Temm.  PURPLE  GALLINULES. 
Olive  green;  head  and  below  purplish  blue;  crissum 
white;  bill  mostly  red;  L.  12;  W.  7;  T.  3.  S.  States, 
N.  to  Maine. 

5.  FULICA,  Linnaeus.     COOTS. 

1.  F.  americana,  Gm.  COOT.  MUD  HEN.  Dark  slate 
color  or  sooty;  bill  brownish;  L.  14;  W.  8;  T.  2.  U.  S., 
abundant  in  reedy  swamps;  swims  well. 


ANATID^E. — LX.  137 

OEDEE  P.-LAMELLIEOSTEES. 

(The  Anserine  Birds) 

Bill  lamellate,  i.  e.,  furnished  along  each  cutting  edge 
with  a  regular  series  of  tooth-like  processes,  which  cor- 
respond to  certain  laciniate  processes  of  the  fleshy  tongue, 
which  ends  in  a  horny  tip;  bill  large,  thick,  high  at  base, 
depressed  towards  the  end,  membranous  except  at  the 
obtuse  tip  which  is  occupied  by  a  horny  nail;  no  gular 
pouch.  Head  high,  compressed,  with  sloping  forehead; 
eyes  small.  Feet  4-toed  (excepting  some  Flamingoes), 
palmate  ;  hind  toe  small,  elevated  ;  tibia  feathered  in 
Anatidce,  bare  below  in  the  Flamingoes.  Wings  strong, 
short.  Legs  short  (except  in  Phcenicopteridm,  where 
excessively  elongated) ;  precocial ;  swimming  birds.  An 
important  and  familiar  order,  comprising  nearly  all  the 
"  Water  Fowl "  which  are  valued  in  domestication  or  as 
game  birds.  There  are  two  families,  Phoenicopteridce 
the  Flamingoes,  and  the  following: 

FAMILY  LX.  — ANATIDJE 

(The  Ducks.) 

Characters  of  bill,  etc.,  as  given  above.  Body  heavy, 
flattened  beneath.  Head  large;  eyes  small.  Tail 
various,  usually  short,  of  14  to  16  feathers,  the  lower 
coverts  being  long  and  full.  Feet  short,  anterior  toes 
full -webbed.  Sexes  usually  quite  unlike  (excepting 
among  the  Swans  and  Geese.)  Species  one  hundred  and 
seventy -five,  of  all  parts  of  the  world;  migratory.  The 
sub  -  families  are  indicated  below. 
*  Lores  naked ;  adult  entirely  white ;  large  birds ;  Swans.  (CvG- 

NIN^E.) CYGNUS,  1. 

**  Lores  feathered;  tarsus  entirely  reticulate ;  Geese.  (ANSERINE.) 

a.  Bill  and  legs  not  black ;  colors  white,  bluish,  etc.    ANSER,  2. 


138  BIRDS. 

aa.  Bill  and  legs  "black ;  neck  black.         .         .         BRANTA,  3. 
***  Lores  feathered ;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front ;  Ducks. 
f  Bill  depressed ;  the  lamellae  simple,  bluntish. 
^  Hind  toe  simple,  not    bordered   by  membrane.      "  River 

Ducks."    (ANATIN^E.) 

&.  Head  crested ;   tip  of  bill  formed  entirely  by  the.  nail ; 

colors  brilliant  in  $.    .  .        .        .        Arx,  11. 

&&.  Bill  very  much  widened  towards  the  tip ;    speculum 

green SPATULA,  10. 

&&&.  Head  not  crested ;  bill  not  much  widened  towards  tip. 
c.  Tail  wedge-shaped,  at  least  f  length  of  wing. 

$  of  DAFILA,  5. 

cc.  Tail  less  than  half  length  of  wing. 
d.  Bill  shorter  than  head. 

e.  Crown  streaked ;  tail  feathers  acute.        DAFILA,  5. 
ee.  Crown  creamy  or  white ;  speculum  green. 

MARECA,  7. 

dd.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head ;  speculum  white ;  wing 
coverts  chestnut.         .         .         CHAULELASMUS,  6. 
ddd.  Bill  a  little  longer  than  head. 
/.  Speculum  violet,  bordered  with  black  and  white. 

ANAS,  4. 
ff.  Speculum  green. 

g.  Wing  coverts  sky  blue ;  head  of  $  plumbeous  or 

purplish.        .        .        .        QUERQTJEDULA,  8. 

gg.  Wing  without  blue ;    head  of  $  chestnut,  with 

green  band ;  almost  crested.       .       NETTION,  9. 

JJ  Hind  toe  lobed  (bordered  by  membrane.)    "  Sea  Ducks." 

(FULIGTJLIISLE.) 

h.  Cheeks  bristly ;  colors  black  and  white  (or  gray.) 

CAMPTOI^EMTJS,  16. 

Till.  Tail  pointed,  longer  than  wings  (in  adult) ;   bill  black 
and  orange HARELDA,  15. 

JMi.  Tail  rounded ;  the  feathers  stiff,  narrow,  exposed  nearly 
to  their  bases,  the  upper  coverts  being  very  short. 

ERISMATURA,  20. 


ANATID^E.— LX.  139 

TMih.  Ducks  with  none  of  the  above  peculiarities. 

i.  Upper  mandible  gibbous  at  its  unfeathered  base ;  black 

or  brown (EDEMIA,  19. 

ii.  Upper  mandible  not  gibbous  where  unfeathered. 
j.  Nail  at  tip  of  bill  narrow  and  distinct. 

k.  Head  black  or  brown;   nostrils  sub -basal;  bill 
longer  than  tarsus.        .        .        .        FULJX,  12. 
kk.  Head  reddish  or  brownish,  without  white ;   nos- 
trils nearly  median ;  bill  longer  than  tarsus. 

AYTHYA,  13. 

Jckk.  Head  black  or  gray,  with  white ;  nostrils  nearly 
median ;  bill  about  as  long  as  tarsus. 

BUCEPHALA,  14. 

jj.  Kail  broad,  scarcely  distinct. 

I.  Feathers  extending  on  culmen  and  partly  on  sides 

of  upper  mandible.       .        .        SOMATERIA,  18. 

II.  Feathers  not  extending  on  culmen ;    bill  small, 

much  tapering.         .        .        HISTBIONICUS,  17. 

f f  Bill  narrow,  nearly  cylindrical ;  the  lamellae  acute,  recurved, 

like  saw-teeth ;  usually  crested.    Fish  Ducks.  (MERGING.) 

m.  Bill  not  black ;  tarsus  more  than  half  the  length  of  middle 

toe MERGUS,  21. 

mm.  Bill  black ;  tarsus  half  length  of  middle  toe. 

LOPHODYTES,  22. 

/.  CYGNUS,  Linnaeus.     SWANS. 
>  Olor,  Wagler. 

1.  C.    buccinator,   Rich.      TRUMPETER   SWAN.      Tail 
(normally)  24  feathered ;  bill  without  yellow  spot,  longer 
than    head;    nostrils    sub -basal;    L.    about   50.      Miss. 
Valley,  W.  and  N. 

2.  C.  columbianus,  (Ord.)  Coues.   WHISTLING  SWAN. 
Tail  20  feathered;   bill  with  a  yellow  spot,  not  longer 
than  head;  nostrils  median;  L,  50.     N.  Am.    (C.ameri- 
canus,  Sharpless.) 


140  BIRDS. 

2.  ANSER,  Linnaeus.     GEESE. 

1.  A.   albifrons,   Gm.,   var.  gambeli,   (Hartl.)  Coues. 
WHITE  -  FRONTED  GOOSE.      SPECKLE  -  BILL.     White  or 
gray,  blotched  with  black;  back  dark;    head  and  neck 
grayish  brown;    forehead  white  ^in  adult;    claws  pale; 
lamellae  usual;  L.  27;  W.  17;  T.  6;  Ts.  3.     N.  Am. 

2.  A.  c&ru/escens,  L.    BLUE  GOOSE.    Size  and  form  of 
next,  but  plumage  ashy,  varied  with  dark  brown.     N. 
Am.,  rather  rare. 

3.  A.  hyperboreus,  Pallas.     SNOW  GOOSE.     Adult  pure 
white  or  washed  with  reddish;  wings  with  black;  claws 
dark;  young  bluish;  lamellae  very  prominent;  L.  30;  W. 
19;  T.  6i;  B.  2£. 

3.  BRANTA,  Scopoli.     BRANT  GEESE. 
=  JZermcla,  most  authors. 

1.  B.  bernicla,  (L.)    BRANT  GOOSE.   Head,  neck,  front, 
quills,  and  tail,  black;  white  patch  on  neck;  white  on 
rump,   crissum,  etc.;    back   brownish  gray;  L.   24;  W. 
13;  T.  5;  B.  1£.     Northern  States;  in  winter  to  Carolina. 

2.  B.  canadensis,  (L.)    WILD  GOOSE.  CANADA  GOOSE. 
Grayish   brown,   paler   below;    head   and   neck   black; 
white  throat  patch,  extending  on  sides  of  head;    tail 
black;  upper  coverts  white;  L.  36;  W.  20;  T.  7£;  B.  2. 
N.  Am.,  abundant;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

4.  ANAS,  Linnaeus.     DUCKS. 

1.  A.  boschas,  L.  MALLARD  DUCK.  TAME  DUCK.  $ 
head  and  upper  neck  rich  glossy  green,  a  white  ring 
below;  breast  purplish  chestnut;  speculum  violet;  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  black  and  white;  $  duller,  chiefly 
dull  ochraceous,  streaked  with  dark  brown;  L.  24;  W. 
12.  Am.,  abundant;  commonest  westward.  Original 


ANATIDJE. — LX.  141 

of  the  common  Domestic  Duck;  various  hybrids  of  this 
species  with  others  are  described. 

2.  A.  obscura,  Gm.  BLACK  DUCK.  Size  of  mallard 
and  resembling  the  $,  but  darker;  no  decided  white 
except  under  the  wings.  E.  U.  S.,  common. 

5.  DAFILA,  Leach.  PINTAIL  DUCKS. 
1.  D.  acuta,  (L.)  Jenyns.  PIN -TAIL.  SPRIG -TAIL. 
$  dark  brown  with  purplish  gloss;  sides  of  neck  with 
long  white  stripes;  tail  cuneate  when  developed,  central 
feathers  much  projecting;  $  speckled  and  streaked;  tail 
shorter;  L.  24;  W.  11;  T.  9  or  less.  N.  Am. 

6.  CHAULELASMUS,  Gray.     GADWALLS. 

1.  C.  streperus,  (L.)  Gray.  GAD  WALL.  $  barred,  black 
and  white,  wing  coverts  chestnut,  greater  coverts  black, 
speculum  white;  $  with  similar  markings;  L.  22;  W.  11. 
N.  Am. 

7.  MARECA,  Stephens.     WIDGEONS. 

1.  M.  penelope,   (L.)    Bon.      EUROPEAN    WIDGEON. 
Head  and  neck  reddish  brown;  top  of  head  brownish 
white;  sides  of  head  with  green  traces;  L.  22;  W.  11; 
T.  5.     Europe;  accidental  in  America,  Wis.  (Kumlien) 
and  Atlantic  Coast. 

2.  M.  americana,  (Gm.)  Steph.     AMERICAN  WIDGEON. 
BALDPATE.      Head  and  neck  grayish,  speckled ;   colors 
more  emphatic;  sides  of  head  with"""bright  green  patch. 
N.  Am.,  abundant. 

8  QUERQUEDULA,  Stephens.     BLUE  WINGED  TEALS. 

1.  Q.  discors,  (L.)  Steph.  BLUE  WINGED  TEAL.  $ 
head  and  neck  blackish  plumbeous,  darkest  on  the 
crown;  a  white  crescent  in  front  of  eye;  under  parts 


142  BIRDS. 

thickly  spotted;  ?  quite  different,  known  by  the  wings; 
L.  16;  W.  7;  T.  3.     E.  U.  S.,  to  Rocky  Mts. 

9.  NETTION,  Kaup.     GREEN -WINGED  TEALS. 

1.  N.  carolinensis,  (Gm.)  Kaup.  GREEN -WINGED 
TEAL.  A  white  crescent  on  sides  in  front  of  wings; 
shoulders  plain;  L.  15;  W.  7£;  T.  3£.  N.  America, 
common. 

10.  SPATULA,  Boie.     SHOVELLERS. 

1.  S.  clypeata,  (L.)  Boie.  SHOVELLER.  SPOON-BILL 
DUCK.  $  head  and  neck  green;  wing  coverts  blue; 
speculum  green;  $  with  similar  bill  and  wings;  L.  20; 
W.  9£;  B.  2f.  N.  Am. 

//.  AIX,  Swainson.  WOOD  DUCKS. 
1.  A.  sponsa,  (L.)  Boie.  WOOD  DUCK.  SUMMER 
DUCK.  Crested ;  $  head  iridescent  green  and  purple, 
with  white  stripes  and  a  forked  white  throat  patch; 
breast  rich  brownish;  ?  duller,  head  mostly  gray;  L.  20; 
W.  9£;  T.  5.  U.  S.  frequent;  nesting  in  trees. 

12.  FULIX,  Sundevall.     FLOCKING  -  FOWL. 
<  Fuligula,  Authors. 

1.  F.  marila,  (L.)  Baird.     BIG  SCAUP  DUCK.     BLUE 
BILL.     RAFT   DUCK.      Speculum  white;  no  ring  about 
neck;  back  and  sides  whitish,  finely  waved  with  black;  $ 
face  white;  markings  less  distinct;   L.  20;  W.  9.     N. 
Am.  ^ 

2.  F.   affin/s,   (Eyton)   Baird.     LESSER   SCAUP   DUCK. 
Similar,  but  smaller;    L.  16;    W.   8.      N.  Am.,  rather 
southerly. 

3.  F.  collaris,  (Donovan)  Baird.     RING-NECKED  DUCK. 
Speculum  gray;  an  orange  brown  collar  about  neck;  ? 
without  collar;  L.  18;  W.  8£.     N.  Am. 


ANATID.E. — LX.  143 

13.  AYTHYA,  Boie.    CANVAS-BACK  DUCKS. 

1.  A.  ferina  (L.)  var.  americana,  (Eyton)  Allen.     RED 
HEAD.     POCHARD.     $  head  and  neck  chestnut  with  red 
reflections;    back    mixed   silvery  and   black;    the   dark 
waved  lines  unbroken;  $  duller;    bill  shorter  than  head, 
two  or  less,  bluish,  the  nail  dark;  L.  20;  W.  10.     N.  Am., 
abundant. 

2.  A.  va//isner/a,  (Wilson)  Boie.  CANVAS  -  BACK  DUCK. 
Head  more  dusky;  black  wavy  lines  on  back  broken,  the 
whitish  predominating;  bill  as  long  as  head,  2%  or  more, 
dusky.     N.  Am.;  especially  coastwise  in  winter. 

4.  BUCEPHALA,Bsiird.    GOLDEN -EYES. 
Clangula,  Authors. 

1.  B.  clangula,  (L.)  Gray.     GOLDEN -EYE.     GARROT. 
$  head  puffy,  glossy  green  with  some  white;  upper  parts 
black;    white    continuous  on  outer  surface  of  wing;   $ 
head  duller,  snuff- colored  and  scarcely  puffy;  L.  16  to 
19;  W.  8  to  9.     N.  Am.  and  Europe. 

2.  B.  islandica,  (Gm.)  Baird.    BARROW'S  GOLDEN-EYE. 
Similar; .gloss  of  head  purplish;  white  of  wing  divided 
by  dark  bar;  more  white  on  head;  larger.     N.  U.  S.  and 
N.;  rare. 

3.  B.  albeola,    (L.)  Baird.     DIPPER.     BUFFLE-HEAD. 
BUTTER- BALL.     SPIRIT  DUCK.     $  with  head  very  puffy 
and  iridescent;  a  large  white  ear  patch;  L.  16;  W.  7;  ? 
small,    dark    gray ;     head    scarcely    puffy.      N.    Am., 
abundant. 

15.  HARELDA,  Leach.     LONG  -  TAILED  DUCKS. 

1.  H.  glacial  is,  (L.)  Leach.  SOUTH  -  SOUTHERLY.  OLD 
WIFE.  LONG -TAILED  DUCK.  Reddish  brown,  nearly 
white  in  winter;  tail  very  long;  $  quite  different,  no 


144  BIRDS. 

white  on  wing;    L.  20;   W.  9;    T.  8,  or  less.     N.  Am. 
and   Europe;  chiefly  northern  and  coastwise. 

16.  CAMPTOLSEMUS,  Gray.     PIED  DUCKS. 
1.    C.   labradorius,    (Gm.)    Gray.      LABRADOR    DUCK. 
$  chiefly  black  and  white;  $  plumbeous;  L.  24;  W.  9. 
Coast,  chiefly  northern;  scarce. 

17.  HISTRIONICUS,  Lesson.     HARLEQUIN  DUCKS. 
1.  H.  torquatus,  (L.)  Bon.   HARLEQUIN  DUCK.   $  leaden 
bluish,  much  varied;  speculum  violet  and  purple;  $  dark 
brown,  etc.     Atlantic  Coast,  Am.  and  Europe. 

18.  SOMATERIA,  Leach.     EIDER  DUCKS. 

1.  S.  mollissima,   (L.)  Leach.      EIDER  DUCK.      $  in 
breeding   dress,  white;    under  parts,  rump,  quills,  and 
crown  patch  black;  $  reddish  brown,  streaked;  bill  with 
long,  club-shaped,  frontal    processes    extending  in  line 
with  culmen;  L.  24;  W.  12.     Arctic  regions;  S.  to  New 
England  in  winter.     (8.  dresseri,  Sharpe.) 

2.  S.  spectabilis,  (L.)  Leach.     KING  EIDER.     $  chiefly 
black;  front  parts,  etc.,  white;  frontal  processes  broad, 
squarish,  out  of  line  of  culmen;  slightly  smaller.      Nor- 
thern regions;  S.  to  N.  Y. 

19.  (EDEMIA,  Fleming.     SURF  DUCKS. 

*  Bill  not  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  tail  16-feathered ; 
no  white  on  wings.    (CEdemia.) 

1.  (E.  americana,  Sw.     AMERICAN  BLACK  SCOTER.     $ 
entirely  black;  $  sooty  brown,  paler  below  and  on  throat; 
L.  18  to  24;  W.  10.     N.  Am.,  all  coasts. 

**  Bill  broadly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;   a  large 
white  wing  patch.     (Melanetta.) 

2.  (E.   fusca,  (L.)    Sw.      VELVET   SCOTER.      WHITE 


ANATID.E. — LX.  145 

WINGED  SURF  DUCK.  $  black;  white  spot  under  eye; 
$  sooty  brown,  rather  larger.  Shores  of  Europe  and  N. 
Am. 

***  Bill  narrowly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  no  white 
on  wings;  tail  14-feathered.    (Pelionetta) 

3.  (E.  perspicillata,  (L.)  Fleming.  SURF  DUCK.  SEA 
COOT.  $  black,  with  white  spot  on  forehead  and  nape; 
?  sooty  brown;  white  patch  on  lores  and  cheeks;  size  of 
first.  Coasts. 

20.  ERISMATURA,  Bonaparte.     STIFF  TAILED  DUCKS. 

1.  E.   rubida,  (Wils.)  Bon.      RUDDY  DUCK.     Chiefly 
brownish  or  tawny  (reddish  in  perfect  plumage),  con- 
siderably waved  and  dotted;  crissum  white;  L.  17;  W.  6. 
N.  Am.,  frequent. 

2.  E.   dominica,   (L.)    Eyton.      SAN  DOMINGO  DUCK. 
Smaller  and  redder;  forehead  and  chin  black;   L.  13^; 
W.  0^.    S.  America  and  W.  Indies;  accidental  N.  (Wis., 
Kumlien,  L.  Champlain,  Cabot.) 

21.  MERGUS,  Linnaeus.     MERGANSERS. 

1.  M.  merganser,  L.    MERGANSER.   GOOSANDER.   FISH 
DUCK.     $  black  and  white  above,  salmon-colored  below; 
head  glossy  green,  scarcely  crested;  $  smaller,  ashy  gray; 
head  brownish;  nostrils  median;  L.  24;  W.  11.    N.  Am., 
common. 

2.  M.  serrator,  L.    RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER.    FISH 
DUCK.  .  Similar,  but  smaller  and  more  crested;  $  with 
throat  reddish  brown,  black-streaked;    wing  with    two 
black  bars,  instead  of  one  as  in  last;  nostrils  sub-basal; 
L.  20;  W.  9.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

22.  LOPHODYTES,  Reichenbach.     CRESTED  DIVERS. 
1.  L  cucullatus,  (L.)  Reich.     HOODED  MERGANSER. 
7 


146  BIRDS. 

SHELDRAKE.  Black  and  white;  sides  chestnut  in  <3;  $ 
duller  and  grayish;  crest  high  and  compressed;  nostrils 
sub-basal;  L.  19;  W.  8.  N.  Am.,  common. 


OEDEE  Q.-STEGANOPODES. 

(TJie  Totipalmate  Birds) 

Feet  totipalmate;  hind  toe  lengthened,  scarcely  ele- 
vated, united  by  a  web  to  the  other  toes;  tibia?  feathered 
Bill  various,  horny,  never  lamellate,  cutting  edges  often 
serrate;  nostrils  very  small  or  abortive;  a  prominent, 
naked,  gular  pouch;  tarsus  reticulate;  altricial. 

We  here  omit  the  families  Sulidce  (Gannets)  and 
Tachypetidce  (Frigate  Birds)  as  they  are  exclusively 
marine.  One  species  of  the  Southern  family  Plotiilw, 
(the  Darters)  Plotus  anliinga,  L.,  the  Snake  Bird  or 
Water  Turkey  of  the  Southern  swamps,  sometimes  comes 
up  the  Miss.  R.  to  S.  Ills. 

FAMILY  LXL— PELECANID^E. 

(The  Pelicans.) 

Large  fish -eating  birds,  with  very  long  bills  which 
end  in  a  claw -like  hook;  the  broad  space  between  the 
branches  of  the  lower  jaw  occupied  by  a  huge  membran- 
ous sack;  nostrils  abortive;  wings  very  long;  tail  very 
short;  gregarious;  sexes  alike.  Genus  one;  species  six; 
found  in  most  warm  regions. 

/.  PELECANUS,  Linnaeus.     PELICANS. 

1.  P.  trachyrhynchus,  Lath.  WHITE  PELICAN.  Chiefly 
white,  some  black  and  yellowish;  L.  60;  W.  24;  B.  12. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  S.  and  W.,  often  inland. 


PHALACKOCORACID^E. — LXII.  147 

FAMILY  LXII.  — PHALACROCORACID^E. 

(The  Cormorants.} 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  nearly  terete,  strongly 
hooked,  the  cutting  edges  uneven;  gular  pouch  small. 
Wings  short.  Tail  very  large,  almost  scansorial,  of  very 
stiff  feathers,  often  used  with  the  aid  of  the  legs,  which 
are  set  far  back,  as  a  support  for  the  body;  a  nasal 
groove  but  nostrils  abortive.  Colors  in  both  sexes 
lustrous,  iridescent  black;  in  the  breeding  season  usually 
with  long,  white,  filamentous  plumes;  many  species 
crested.  Genus  one;  species  twenty -five;  of  most 
regions. 

/.  GRACULUS,  Linnaeus.  CORMORANTS. 
2.  G.  dilophus,  (Sw.)  Gray.  DOUBLE  -  CRESTED  COR- 
MORANT. Glossy  greenish  black ;  back  and  wing  coverts 
coppery  gray;  adult  with  two  curly  black  lateral  crests; 
sac  convex  or  straight  -  edged  behind,  orange;  L.  33;  W. 
13;  T.  7;  tail  of  12  feathers.  N.  Am.;  our  commonest 
species. 

2.  G.  mexicanus,  (Brandt)  Bon.     MEXICAN  CORMOR- 
ANT.    Gular  sac  orange,  white-edged;  L.  24.     S.  W.,  N. 
to  Ills. 

3.  G.  carbo,  (L.)  Gray.    NORTHERN  CORMORANT.   Tail 
of  14  feathers;  sac  heart-shaped  behind;  L.  36.     North- 
ern and  coastwise. 


OEDEE  E. 

(The  Long -Winged  Swimmers.)' 

Feet  palmate;  tibiae  feathered;  legs  near  center  of 
equilibrium;  hind  toe  elevated,  small,  often  wanting. 
Bill  usually  long,  horny,  not  serrate  nor  lamellate;  nos- 


148  BIRDS. 

trils  developed;  no  gular  pouch.  ^\rings  very  long  and 
pointed.  Tail  well  developed;  altricial;  powers  of  flight 
remarkable;  food  chiefly  fishes.  There  are  two  families, 
LaridcB,  below  described,  and  frocellciridcBj  the  Petrels, 
which  we  here  omit,  all  our  numerous  representatives 
being  strictly  maritime. 

FAMILY  LXITL  —  LARID^E. 

(The  Gulls.) 

Long-  winged  birds,  with  the  nostrils  not  tubular; 
bill  various.  Hind  toe  small  and  elevated,  but  less  so 
than  in  the  Petrels.  General  color  usually  white,  with 
a  darker  mantle  of  a  pearly  bluish  tint,  and  commonly 
with  some  black  markings.  Sexes  alike  in  color,  but  the 
plumage  varying  much  with  age  and  season.  Genera 
about  twelve  (Coues),  sixty  (European  authors);  species 
ninety;  abounding  about  all  large  bodies  of  water.  Of 
the  genera  admitted  below,  Pagophila^  Rissa,  and 
C  kroecocephahis  may  properly  be  considered  as  sections 
of  Lams,  while  Gelochelidon  and  Thalasseus  are  perhaps 
sub  -genera  under  Sterna. 
*  Bill  hooked  (epignathous)  —  rarely  not  hooked,  and  the  tail  even. 

f  Bill  with  a  sort  of  cere  ;  middle  tail  feathers  exserted  ;  Jasgers. 
(LESTRIDIN^E.)  ....        STERCORARIUS,  1. 

f  f  Bill  not  cerecl  ;    general  color  usually  white  with  a  darker 
mantle.    Gulls. 


a.  Hind  toe  rudimentary,  without  a  developed  claw.   RISSA,  3. 
an.  Hind  toe  perfect,  provided  with  a  claw. 
b.  Tail  even. 
c.  Tarsus  black,  rough  ;  webs  incised  ;   plumage  white. 

PAGOPHILA,  4 

cc.  Tarsus  not  black  ;  lower  plumage  white  in  adult. 
d.  Head  white  —  if  dark  below,  head  not  whitish  (spe- 
cies of  large  size  ;   never  rosy-tinted  below  ;   the 
head  never  with  a  dark  hood.)        .         LARUS,  2. 


—  LXIII.  149 


dd.  Head  dark—  if  dark  below,  head  whitish  (small  or 

slender  species,  with  a  black  hood  in  the  breeding 

season,  and  the  white  under  parts  then  pinkish  or 

rosy-tinted.)       .        .        .      CIHWECOCEPHALUS,  5. 

bb.  Tail  forked  ;  bill  black,  yellow-tipped.        .       XEMA,  6. 

**  Bill  paragnathous  (mandibles  even)  ;  tail  forked  (in  our  species)  ; 

Terns.    (STEKNIN^E.) 

e.  Toes  full-webbed  ;   colors  chiefly  white,  with  a  black  cap  at 
most  seasons  and  the  quills  silvery  dusky,  with  a  long 
white  stripe. 
/.  Feet  black  ;  forehead  without  white  crescent. 

g.  Not  crested;  bill  stout,  scarcely  longer  than  tarsus. 

GELOCHELIDON,  7. 
gg.  Crested  ;  bill  slender,  much  longer  than  tarsus. 

THALASSEUS,  8. 
ff.  Feet  not  black  ;  back  pale,  no  crest.      .        .      STERNA,  9. 

ee.  Toes  not  full-webbed  ;  color  quite  dark. 

HYDROCHELIDON,  10. 

***  Bill  hypognathous  —  the  lower  mandible  much  the  longer, 
compressed  like  a  knife-blade.  Skimmers.  (RHYNCHOPIN^E.) 

RHYNCIIOPS,  11. 

/.  STERCORARIUS,  Brisson.    JJSGERS. 

=  LestriS)  Authors. 

1.  S.    pomaforhinus,    (Temm.)     Lawr.      POMARINE 
JAEGER.      Chiefly   blackish,    colors    varying   with   age; 
middle  tail  feathers  broad  to  the  tip,  projecting  about 
four  inches;    L.  20;  W.  15.     Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  S.  parasiticus,  (Brunn.)  Gray.     PARASITIC  JAEGER. 
General  color  dark  brown;  middle  tail  feathers  acuminate, 
projecting  4  inches;  L.  18;  W.  13.     Northern,  U.  S.  in 
winter. 

3.  S.  buffoni,  (Boie.)  Coues.      LONG  TAILED  JAEGER. 
Similar,  but  still  smaller;  tail  feathers  filamentous,  pro- 
jecting 8  or  10  inches.     Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 


150  BIRDS. 

2.  LARUS,  Linnaeus.     GULLS. 
*  Primaries  without  any  black. 

1.  L.  glaucuSj  Briinn.     GLAUCOUS  GULL.     ICE  GULL. 
BURGOMASTER.       Bill   yellow  with   red   spot   on   lower 
mandible;  large;  L.  30;  W.  18.     Arctic  regions;  S.  in 
winter. 

2.  L   /eucopterus,   Faber.      WHITE -"WINGED   GULL. 
Similar  but  smaller;  L.  23;  W.  17.     Same  region. 

**  Primaries  crossed  with  black  (adult),  or  all  black  (young). 

3.  L   marinus,   L.      GREAT   BLACK -BACKED   GULL. 
COFFIN-CARRIER.    SADDLE-BACK.    Mantle  blackish  slate 
color;  largest  of  our  Gulls;  L.  30  or  more;  W.  18;  feet 
flesh  colored.     N.  Atlantic,  S.  in  winter. 

4.  L.  argentatus,  Brunn.     HERRING  GULL.     COMMON 
GULL.     Mantle  grayish  blue ;    large,  22  to  27  ;  W.  1 8  or 
less;  feet  flesh  colored.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

5.  L.  de/awarensis,  Ord.    RING-BILLED  GULL.    Plum- 
age like  preceding;  feet  olivaceous;  webs  yellow;  bill 
yellowish,  a  black  band  at  the  tip;    size  moderate;  L. 
20;  W.  15.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

3.  RISSA,  Leach.     KITTIWAKES. 

1.  R.  tridaciyla,  (L.)  Bon.  KITTIWAKE  GULL.  Mantle 
dark  grayish  blue;  hind  claw  a  minute  knob;  L.  16  to 
18;  W.  12.  Northern,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

3.  PAGOPHILA,  Kaup.     IVORY  GULLS. 
1.  P.  eburnea,  (Gm.)  Kaup.     IVORY  GULLS.     Adults 
pure  white;  young  spotted;  L.  16  to  20;  W.  12.    North- 
ern, rarely  to  U.  S.  in  winter. 

5.  CHRtECOCEPHALUS,  Eyton.     ROSY  GULLS. 
1.  C.  airicilla,  (L.)  Lawr.    BLACK -HEADED  OR  LAUGH- 
ING GULL.     Tarsus  J  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw; 


.  —  LXIII.  151 


large;  bill  and  feet  dusky  carmine;  L.  16  to  19;  W.  12 
to  13.     U.  S.,  coastwise. 

2.  C.   franklini,    (Rich.)   Bruch.      FRANKLIN'S   ROSY 
GULL.     Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe   and  claw; 
bill  and  feet  carmine;  bill  usually  with  a  black  mark; 
medium;  L.  14  to  16;  W.  11.     U.  S.,  chiefly  W.  of  the 
Miss.  R. 

3.  C.  Philadelphia,  (Ord.)  Lawr.     BONAPARTE'S  GULL. 
Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw;  bill  dark 
or  black,  slender,  tern  -like;  small;  L.  12  to  14;  W.  10. 
N.  Am.,  abundant. 

6.  XEMA,  Leach.     FORK  -  TAILED  GULLS. 

1.  X.  sabinei,  (Sab.)  Leach.  FORKED  -TAIL  GULL. 
Chiefly  white,  a  black  hood  and  collar;  L.  14;  W.  11. 
Northern,  S.  in  winter  to  N.  Y. 

7.  GELOCHELIDOH,  Brehm.     GULL  -BILLED  TERNS. 

1.  G.  anglica.,  (Montagu.)  Bon.  MARSH  TERN.  Bill 
black,  very  short  and  stout;  L.  15;  W.  12.  E.  U.  S., 
not  abundant. 

8.   THALASSEUS,  Boie.     CRESTED  TERNS. 

1.  T.   caspius,   (Pallas.)   Boie.     CASPIAN  TERN.     Pri- 
maries without  white  band;  bill  red;    much  the  largest 
of  the  Terns;  L.  20  or  more;  W.  17;  T.  6,  not   much 
forked.     Northern,  S.  in  winter;  scarce. 

2.  T.  regius,  Gamb.     ROYAL  TERN.     Bill  orange;  L. 
18  or  20;  W.  15;  T.  8,  deeply  forked;  much  smaller  than 
the  last  but  nearly  as  long.     Atlantic  Coast. 

3.  T.  canfiacus,  (Gm.)  Boie.     SANDWICH  TERN.     Bill 
black,  yellow  at  tip;  L.  16;  W.  12£;  T.  6.     Europe  and 
Am.;  rare  on  our  coast. 


152  BIRDS. 

9.  STERNA,  Linnaeus,     COMMON  TERNS. 

1.  S.  hirundo,  Auct.     COMMON  TERN.     SEA  SWALLOW. 
WILSON'S  TERN.      Bill  red,  blackening  towards  tip;  tail 
mostly  white;    outer  web  of  outer  feather  darker  than 
inner;  L.  14J  (13  to*  16);  W.  10  (9J  to  11|);  T.  6  (5  to 
7.)      Coasts  of   Europe  and  America;   abundant.      ($. 
wilsoni)  Lawr.) 

2.  S.   forster/,  Nuttall.      FORSTER'S  TERN.      Larger; 
tail  longer  and  wings  shorter;    inner  web  of  outer  tail 
feather  darker;  W.  9£  to  10£;    T.  6J  to  8.      N.  Am., 
common. 

3.  S.  macrura,  Naumann.    ARCTIC  TERN.   Bill  carmine 
throughout;  plumage  as  in  hirundo,  but  darker  below; 
L.  14  to  17;    W.  10  to  12;    T.  5  to  8;    smaller  than 
hirundo,  but  tail  proportionally  much  longer.     Northern 
regions,  S.  to  U.  S. 

4.  S.  paradisea,  Auct.     ROSEATE  TERN.     Bill  black, 
usually  orange  at  base  below;  mantle  very  pale;   some- 
what rosy -tinted  below;  L.  12  to  16;  W.  9  to  10;  T.  5 
to  8.     Atlantic  Coast,  abundant.    (S.  doucjalli,  Mont.) 

5.  S.  portlandica,  Ridgway.     PORTLAND  TERN.     Near 
the  preceding,  but   mantle  as   in   hirundo j    the  rump 
white  instead  of  pearly;  feet  blackish;  under  parts  pure 
white;  L.  12£;  W.  9f ;  T.  5  or  more.     Lately  discovered 
in  Maine  and  Mass.;  but  two  specimens  known. 

6.  S.  superciliaris,  (Vieill.)  var.  antlllarum,  (Lesson) 
Coues.     LEAST  TERN.     Bill  yellow,  usually  tipped  with 
black;   a  white  frontal  crescent  between  cap  and  bill; 
shafts  of  two  or  more  outer  primaries  black  above;  very 
small;    L.  8  or  9;    W.  6J;    T.  2  to  3£.     U.  S.,  chiefly 
abundant  coastwise. 


.  —  LXHt  153 


10.  HYDROCHELIDON,  Bole.    BLACK 

1.  H.  lariformis,  (L.)  Cones.     BLACK  TERN.     Head, 
iieck  and  under  parts  black  (in  full  plumage);   wings 
and  tail  above  plumbeous  like  the  back;  crissum  white; 
small;  L.  10;  W.  8  to  9;  T.  3£.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  inland. 
\H.  fissipes,  (L.)  Gray.] 

2.  H.  nigra,  (L.)  Gray.    WHITE  -WINGED  BLACK  TERN. 
Wings  whitening  along  border  of  fore  -arm;    tail  and 
upper   tail    coverts  white.      Straggler   from  Europe,  a 
single    specimen   lately   taken    on    Lake    Koshkonong. 
(Ludovic  Kumlien.)     [H.  leucoptera,  (Meisn.)  Boie.] 

//.  RHYNCHOPS,  Linmeus.  SKIMMERS. 
1.  R.  nigra,  L.  BLACK  SWIMMER.  CUTWATER.  Glossy 
black;  white  below;  lower  mandible  about  an  inch 
longest,  compressed  like  a  knife  -blade,  obtuse  at  end; 
L.  16  to  20;  W.  15;  T.  5,  sharply  forked.  Coast, 
abundant  southward. 


OEDEE  S.-PTGOPODES. 

(The  Diving  Birds.) 

Feet  palmate  or  lobate;  tibiag  feathered,  buried  in  the 
skin  nearly  to  the  heel  joint,  hence  the  legs  are  set  very 
far  back,  and  the  birds  are  scarcely  able  to  walk  at  all 
on  land;  hind  toe  small,  elevated,  often  wanting.  Nos- 
trils developed;  bill  of  various  forms,  horny,  not  lamellate 
nor  serrate ;  no  gular.  pouch.  Wings  very  short,  scarcely 
reaching  the  base  of  the  very  small  or  rudimentary  tail. 
Swimmers,  many  of  them  noted  for  their  powers  of  div- 
ing. We  here  omit  the  three  -  toed  family  of  ALCID^E, 
the  Auks,  they  being  strictly  maritime  and  mostly 
northern.  The  twenty -one  known  species  all  occur  in 
America. 


154  BlftDS. 

FAMILY  LX1V.—  COLYMBID^. 

(The  Loons.} 

Bill  long,  strong,  tapering,  acute,  wholly  hard;  nostrils 
linear.  Head  densely  and  evenly  feathered,  without  rufi's 
or  naked  spaces;  eye  large.  Feet  4-toed,  palmate;  tar- 
sus reticulate,  strongly  compressed.  Wings  comparatively 
long  and  strong.  Tail  short,  but  well  developed.  Back 
of  adult  with  small  spots;  precocial.  Genus  one;  species 
three.  Birds  of  large  size,  with  strong  powers  of  flight, 
and  pre-eminent  in  swimming  and  diving,  but  scarcely 
able  to  walk;  they  are  migratory,  breeding  northward, 
but  coming  S.  in  winter;  the  voice  is  singularly  sharp 
and  wild. 

/.  COLYMBUS,  Linnaeus.     LOONS. 

=  Eudytes,  Illiger. 

1.  C.  torquatus,   Brlinn.      GREAT  NORTHERN  LOON. 
DIVER.     Black;  breast  and  below  chiefly  white;  head 
and  neck  iridescent,  green  and  violet;  a  patch  of  white 
streaks  on  each  side  of  neck  and  on  the  throat;  back 
with  many  white  spots;   L.  36;  W.  14;   Ts.   3;   B.  3, 
Northern    Hemisphere;    whole    U.   S.  in   winter.      (C. 
glacialis,  L.) 

2.  C.  arcticus,  L.    BLACK  -  THROATED  DIVER.    Similar, 
but  head  and  neck  behind  bluish  or  hoary  gray;  fore- 
neck  purplish  black,  with  a  crescent  of  white  streaks; 
L.    28;    W.    12;    B.   2£.      Northern    hemisphere,    not 
common  in  U.  S. 

3.  C.   septenfriona/is,    L.      RED -THROATED    DIVER. 
Blackish,  chiefly  white  below;    head  and  neck  mostly 
bluish  gray;  throat  with  a  large  chestnut  patch;  L.  27; 
W.  11;  B.  2.     Northern  hemisphere. 


155 


FAMILY  LXV.  —  PODICIPID^. 

(The  Grebes.) 

Bill  usually  slender,  rarely  stoutish;  lores  naked; 
head  often  with  crests,  ruffs  or  ear  tufts  in  the  breeding 
season.  Back  not  spotted;  under  plumage  lustrous, 
mostly  white.  Wings  very  short.  Tail  rudimentary. 
Feet  four  -toed,  lobate,  the  toes  webbed  at  base;  toes 
flattened,  provided  with  flat  claws  resembling  human 
nails  ;  tarsus  scutellate,  compressed.  Genera  two  ; 
species  about  twenty;  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  chiefly 
about  fresh  waters. 

*  Bill  slender,  straight,  rather  acute  ;   loral  strip  narrow  ;  head  in 
breeding  season  with  conspicuous  crests  or  ruff. 

PODICEPS,  1. 

**  Bill  stout,  somewhat  hooked  ;   loral  strip  broad  ;  no  ruff  nor 
crest  ........         PODILYMBUS,  2. 

/.  PODICEPS,  Latham.     CRESTED  GEEBES. 
=  Colymbus,  Illiger. 

1.  P.  cr/status,  (L.)  Lath.     CRESTED  GREBE.     Upper 
parts  generally    dark  brown;    crest  black;    throat  and 
sides  of  head  white,  becoming  reddish  on  the  ruff  ;    pri- 
maries brown;    secondaries  mostly  white;    silky  white 
below,  not  mottled;    L.  24;    W.  8£;    B.  2.     Northern 
hemisphere;  U.  S.  in  winter. 

2.  P.  holbolli,  Reinhardt.  RED-NECKED  GREBE.  Upper 
parts  brown;  front  and  sides  of  neck  rich  brownish  red; 
throat  and  sides  of  head  ashy;  crests  and  ruffs  not  large; 
below  silvery  ash,  spotted  or  mottled;  L.  18;  W.  8;  B. 
If.     N.  Am.,  U.  S.  in  winter. 

3.  P.  cornutus,  (Gm.)  Lath.     HORNED  GREBE.     Dark 
brown;  head  glossy  black;  a  brownish  yellow  band  over 
eye  and  behind;  fore-neck  and  breast  brownish  red;  bill 


156  BIBBS. 

compressed,  black,  tipped  with  yellow;  crests  and  ruffs 
very  large;  L.  14;  W.  6;  B.  3f.     Northern  hemisphere, 
^abundant. 

4.  P.  aurifus,  (L.)  var.  californicus,  (Heerfn.)  Coues. 
EARED  GREBE.  Crest  in  the  form  of  ear  tufts;  front  of 
neck  black;  bill  depressed;  L.  12.  Western,  E.  to  Ills. 

2.  PODILYMBUS,  Lesson.  DAB- CHICK. 
1.  P.  podiceps,  (L.)  Lawr.  DIEDAPPER.  HELL-DIVER. 
WATER  WITCH.  PIED  -  BILLED  GREBE.  Chiefly  brown  - 
ish  gray;  silvery  ash  below;  bill  bluish,  with  dark  band; 
young  and  winter  plumage  different,  but  the  bird 
resembles  nothing  else;  L.  14;  W.  5;  B.  1.  Whole  of 
America,  abundant.  (Podiceps  carolimnsis,  Lath.) 


167 


(The  Reptiles.) 

A  Reptile  is  a  cold  -  blooded,  air  -  breathing  vertebrate, 
having  the  exoskeleton  developed  as  horny  or  bony 
plates,  never  as  feathers  or  hair.  Limbs,  when  present, 
usually  adapted  for  walking,  rarely  for  swimming, 
scarcely  ever  for  flying.  An  incomplete  double  circula- 
tion, the  ventricular  septum  being  usually  imperfect  or 
wanting;  no  metamorphosis;  oviparous,  rarely  ovovi- 
viparous,  the  eggs  relatively  large  and  usually  with  a 
leathery  skin.  Various  important  anatomical  distinc- 
tions exist,  but  the  Reptiles  >  are  obviously  separated 
from  the  Birds  by  the  absence  of  feathers,  and  from  the 
Batrachians  by  the  presence  of  scales,  and  by  the  absence 
of  gills  after  leaving  the  egg. 

Besides  the  three  following  orders,  a  fourth  (CROCO- 
DILIA),  is  represented  by  two  species  Alligator  mississip- 
piensis,  Daudin,  and  Crocodilus  americanus,  Seba,  in  our 
Southern  States. 

ORDERS  OF  REPTILIA. 

*  Body  covered  with  square  imbedded  shields ;  vent  roundish  or 

longitudinal,  plaited ;  bones  of  skull  soldered  together. 
fBody  short,  depressed,  enclosed  between  two  bony  shields, 
from  which  the  head,  limbs  and  tail  may  be  protruded ; 

no  teeth *  .       TESTUDINATA,  T. 

**  Body  covered  with  imbricated  scales ;    vent  a  cross-slit ;   bones 

of  skull  separate ;  jaws  with  teeth. 

|  Mouth  not  dilatable ;  bones  of  mandible  united  by  a  bony 
suture  in  front ;  limbs  4 — rarely  rudimentary . 

LACERTILIA,  U. 


158 


#  Mouth  very  dilatable  ;  bones  of  mandible  united  by  liga- 
ments ;  limbs  wanting  or  represented  only  by  short  spurs 
on  the  sides  of  the  vent  .....  OPHIDIA,  V. 

T.    FAMILIES  OF  TESTUDINATA. 

*  Carapace  firm,  not  flexible  at  the  margins,  not  greatly  depressed  ; 

both  shields  with  well-developed  horny  plates. 

f  Toes  short,  bound  together  by  the  integument  ;   legs  and  feet 

short,  club-shaped  ;  carapace  very  convex  ;  plastron  cover- 

ing nearly  all  of  under  surface  of  body  ;   caudal  shields 

united  ;  claws  blunt,  5-4  ;  terrestrial.        TESTUDINID^E,  66. 

ff  Toes  well  developed,  spreading,  and   in   aquatic   species 

webbed  ;  claws  usually  5-4;. 

$  Shell  highest  at  about  the  middle,  usually  somewhat  de- 
pressed, the  margin  flaring  outwards;  epidermal  plates 
of  the  large  plastron  12  in  number.  .  EMYDIIXE,  67. 
$$  Shell  highest  behind  the  middle;  margin  of  carapace 
turned  rather  downward  or  inward  ;  plates  of  plastron 
7,  9  or  11  —  never  12  ;  size  small.  .  CINOSTERNLD^;,  68. 
\\\  Shell  highest  anteriorly;  carapace  flaring  outward,  its 
margin  toothed  behind;  plastron  small,  cross-shaped 
with  12  plates  and  three  accessory  ones  on  each  side  ; 
jaws  powerful,  strongly  hooked;  neck  and  tail  long, 
the  latter  with  a  crest  of  tubercles  ;  size  large. 

CHELYDRID^E,  69. 

**  Much  depressed  ;  carapace  and  plastron  covered  with  a  leathery 
skin,  and  flexible  at  the  margins  ;  no  horny  plates  ;  fleshy 
lips  ;  snout  prolonged  ;  toes  5-5,  but  claws  3-3. 

TKIONYCHID^E,  70. 

U.    FAMILIES  OF  LACERTILIA. 

*  Tongue  thick,  convex,  attached  at  its  base  to  the  gullet  ;  scales 

usually  more  or  less  spinous.       .        .        .       IGUANID^E,  71. 
**  Tongue  flat,  elongate,  bifid  at  the  end  ;  scales  never  spinous. 
f  Limbs  rudimentary,  concealed  beneath  the  skin  ;    sides  with 
a  longitudinal  fold  .....       ANGUID^E,  72. 
f  f  Limbs  four  —  well  developed. 

\  Scales  of  the  belly  rounded,  arranged  in  quincunx  order. 

SCINCIIX.E,  74. 


BEPTILES.  159 

ft  Scales  of*  the  belly  quadrate,  arranged  in  cross^bands; 
throat  with  two  cross-folds.        .        .        .       TEUXE,  73. 

V.    FAMILIES  OF  OPHIDIA. 

*  Both  jaws  fully  provided  with  small  teeth;  no  poison  fangs ; 
no  rattle;  no  anal  appendages;  no  ante-orbital  pit;  not 
venomous.  .  .  •  ...  COLUBRID^E,  75. 

**  Upper  jaw  with  enlarged,  erectile  poison  fangs,  otherwise  tooth- 
less ;  a  deep  pit  between  eye  and  nostril ;  venomous. 

CROTALID^E,  76. 

***  Upper  jaw  with  small,  permanently  erect  poison  fangs;  no 
ante -orbital  pit;  color  red,  with  black  rings;  somewhat 
venomous. ELAPIM:,  75.  (b.) 


OEDEE  T.-TESTUDIXA.TA. 

(The  Turtles.} 

Reptiles  with  the  body  enclosed  between  two  more  or 
less  developed  bony  shields,  which  are  usually  covered 
by  horny  epidermal  plates,  but  sometimes  (TrionycTiidcz, 
Sphargididce)  by  a  leathery  skin.  The  carapace  (upper 
shield)  and  plastron  (lower  shield)  are  more  or  less  united 
along  the  sides.  The  neck  and  the  tail  are  the  only 
flexible  parts  of  the  spinal  column,  and  these,  together 
with  the  legs,  can  usually  be  retracted  within  the  box 
made  by  the  two  shields.  The  bony  part  of  the  carapace 
is  formed  by  the  dorsal  and  sacral  vertebrae,  and  the  ribs 
co-ossified  with  a  series  of  overlying  bony  plates,  usually 
accompanied  by  a  marginal  row.  The  dorsal  vertebrae 
have  their  ends  flattened  and  immovably  united  by  car- 
tilage, and  all  of  them,  except  the  first  and  last,  have 
their  neural  spines  flattened  horizontally  so  as  to  form 
the  median  line  of  plates.  On  either  side  of  this  series 
is  a  single  row  of  ossified  dermal  plates  overlying  the 
ribs  and  corresponding  in  number  to  the  developed  ribs 
of  which  there  are  usually  eight  pairs. 


160  REPTILES, 

No  "traces  of  a  true  sternum  have  been  discovered 
(Huxley).  The  plastron  consists  of  membrane  bones,  of 
which  there  are  usually  nine  pieces  —  four  pairs  and  a 
single  symmetrical  median  piece.  These  correspond 
neither  in  number  nor  position  with  the  overlying 
dermal  plates. 

The  skull  is  more  compact  than  that  of  the  other  Rep- 
tiles. There  are  no  teeth,  but  the  jaws  are  encased  in 
horny  sheaths,  usually  with  sharp  cutting  edges ;  the  eye 
is  furnished  with  two  lids  and  a  nictitating  membrane  as 
in  the  Birds;  the  tympanic  membrane  is  always  present, 
although  sometimes  hidden  by  the  skin.  Respiration  is 
effected  by  swallowing  air. 

The  order  Testudinata  is  divided  by  Prof.  Agassiz  into 
two  sub-orders:  —  AMYD^E,  comprising  the  Land  and 
Fresh  Water  Turtles,  with  retractile  feet  that  may  be 
used  for  walking;  and  CHELONH,  the  Sea  Turtles,  with 
flipper -like  feet  used  chiefly  for  swimming.  Of  the 
latter,  several  species  occur  on  our  coast,  but  we  here 
omit  them. 

FAMILY  LXVL  — TESTUDINID^E. 

(The  Land  Tortoises.) 

Carapace  strong,  thick,  ovate,  generally  very  convex 
and  falling  off  abruptly  at  both  ends;  caudal  shields 
united  into  one;  plastron  very  broad,  covering  the 
whole  under  surface,  the  anterior  part  sometimes  mov- 
able on  a  transverse  hinge.  Legs  and  feet  club  -  shaped; 
toes  firmly  bound  together  by  the  integument,  only  the 
blunt  claws  being  exserted. 

Herbivorous  Turtles,  entirely  terrestrial,  inhabiting  the 
warmer  parts  of  both  continents;  about  twenty  species 
are  known. 


EMYDID^E. — LXVH.  161 

/.   TESTUDO,  Linnaeus.     LAND  TORTOISES. 
>  Xerobates,  Agassiz. 

1.  T.  Carolina,  L.  CAROLINA  "GOPHER."  L.  15.  S. 
States,  N.  to  N.  C.;  burrows  in  the  ground  like  a  wood- 
chuck. 

FAMILY  LXVIL  — EMYDID^E. 
(The  Pond  Turtles.) 

Carapace  ovate,  broadest  behind,  the  margin  having  a 
tendency  to  flare  outward,  highest  near  the  middle, 
usually  rather  depressed,  rarely  strongly  convex;  plastron 
covering  the  whole  under  surface,  its  plates  twelve  in 
number;  sometimes  the  anterior  lobe  (and  rarely  the 
posterior  also)  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge,  enabling 
the  animal  to  completely  close  the  shell.  Toes  broadly 
webbed  in  the  aquatic  species;  scarcely  webbed  in  the 
others.  Jaws  never  hooked  and  pointed,  as  in  allied 
families.  They  feed  largely  upon  animals,  but  they 
rarely  catch  active  prey.  They  do  not  bite  except  under 
much  provocation.  Species  seventy  or  eighty,  widely 
distributed,  inhabiting  marshes,  ponds,  and  the  shores  of 
still  streams;  a  few  are  strictly  terrestrial. 

*  Carapace  short,  very  high  and  strongly  convex ;  plastron  united 
to  the  carapace  by  a  more  or  less  cartilaginous  suture  and 
divided  by  a  transverse  hinge  into  two  or  more  movable 
pieces ;  the  anterior  one,  the  smaller ;  toes  scarcely  webbed ; 

terrestrial CISTUDO,  1. 

**  Carapace  somewhat  elongated,  considerably  arched ;  plastron 
immovable ;  toes  short,  with  a  small  web ;  feet  more  nearly 
equal,  and  habits  less  aquatic  than  in  the  succeeding  groups ; 
species  of  small  size. 

a.  Shell  more  or  less  carinated,  without  round  spots;  upper  jaw 

deeply  notched  and  arched  downward.      .      CHELOPUS,  2. 

aa.  Shell  not  carinated,  black,  usually  with  round,  yellowish 

spots ;  upper  jaw  slightly  notched,  its  edges  nearly  straight. 

NANEMYS,  3. 


162  REPTILES. 

***  Carapace  rather  depressed ;  plastron  wide,  flat,  movable  upon 
the  carapace  and  also  upon  a  transverse  hinge;  anterior 
lobe  somewhat  smaller  than  the  posterior,  which  is  emargi- 

nate  behind ;  toes  webbed EMYS,  4. 

.  ****  Carapace  rather  flat ;  plastron  wide  and  flat,  as  is  also  the 
bridge  connecting  it  to  the  carapace ;  toes  broadly  webbed; 
hind-legs  much  stouter  than  fore-legs ;  larger  species,  deci- 
dedly aquatic. 

f  Upper  jaw  not  notched  in  front;  carapace  more  or  less  strongly 
keeled  QJ  tuberculated.       .      .      .      MALACOCLEMMYS,  6. 
ft  Upper  jaw  notched  in  front;  shell  not  keeled  in  adult. 
\  Horizontal  alveolar  surfaces  of  jaws  not  divided  by  a  longi- 
tudinal ridge;    stripes  on  neck,  tail,  legs,  etc.,  bright  red 
(in  our  species) ;  head  with  yellow  lines ;  large  plates  of 
carapace  plain ;  marginal  plates  with  bright  red  mark- 
ings; a  small  tooth  on  each  side  of  notch  in  upper  jaw; 

shell  never  keeled CIIIIYSEMYS,  5. 

\\  Horizontal  alveolar  surfaces  divided  by  a  longitudinal 
ridge,  running  parallel  with  the  cutting  edge ;  stripes  on 
legs,  etc.,  usually  yellow,  never  bright  red;  large  plates 
of  carapace  often  variegated;  traces  of  a  keel  usually 
evident,  at  least  in  the  young.  .  .  PSEUDEMYS,  7. 

/.  CISTUDO,  Fleming.     Box  TURTLES. 

1.  C.   clausa,  (Gm.)     COMMON  Box  TURTLE.     Colors 
very  variable,  chiefly  blackish  variegated  with  yellowish; 
N.  Y.  to  Mo.  and  S.  in  dry  woods. 

Var.  triunguis,  (Ag.)  Cope.  THREE-TOED  Box  TURTLE. 
Hind-feet  mostly  3-toed,  paler.     Southern,  N.  to  Peiui. 

2.  C.  ornata,  Ag.     NORTHERN  Box  TURTLE.     "  Shell 
round,  broad,   flat,   without   keel,   even  when   young." 
Iowa  and  W. 

2.  CHELOPUS,  Rafinesque.     WOOD  TURTLES. 

*  A  deep  notch  in  upper  jaw,  with  a  lengthened  tooth  on  each 
side  of  it ;  lower  jaw  strongly  arched  upwards.  (Culemys,  Ag.) 


EMYDID^E. — LXVH.  163 

1.  C.  muhlenbergii,  (Schweigger)  Cope.  MUHLENBERG'S 
TORTOISE.     Brown  with   yellowish   markings ;   plastron 
black  with  yellowish  central  blotch;  an  orange  spot  on 
each  side  of  neck ;    shell  somewhat   carinated;   L.  4J. 
E.  Penn.  and  N.  J. 

**  Upper  jaw  broad  at  end,  arched  downward,  with  a  notch  at 
tip;  just  behind  the  tip  the  horny  sheath  slants  inward  so 
that  the  width  of  the  jaw  is  less  than  that  of  the  forehead; 
edge  of  lower  jaw  straight,  excepting  the  tip  which  is  strongly 
upcurved.  (Glyptemys,  Ag.) 

2.  C.  inscu/ptus,  Le  C.     WOOD  TORTOISE.     Shell  car- 
inated, its  plates  marked  with  concentric  striae  and  radi- 
ating lines;  plastron  with  a  black  blotch  on  each  plate; 
L.  8.     U.  S.,  E.  of  Ohio,  in  woods  and  fields. 

3.  NANEMYS,  Agassiz.     SPECKLED  TORTOISES. 

1.  N.  guttatus,  (Schn.)  Ag.  SPECKLED  TORTOISE. 
Black,  dotted  more  or  less  with  orange,  these  spots  rarely 
obsolete;  plastron  yellow,  blotched  with  black;  shell  not 
carinated;  L.  4£.  E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  N,  Ind.  (Levette)', 
abundant. 

4.  EMYS,  Brogniart.     TORTOISES. 

1.  E.  meleagris,  (Shaw)  Ag.  BLANDING'S  TORTOISE. 
Jet  black;  usually  with  yellowish  spots;  plastron  yellow- 
ish with  black  blotches;  head  with  yellow  spots;  L.  8. 
Wisconsin  to  Alleghanies,  in  moist  woods  and  fields. 

5.  CHRYSEMYS,  Gray.     PAINTED  TURTLES. 

1.  C.  picia,  (Herm.)  Ag.  PAINTED  TURTLE.  MUD 
TURTLE.  Greenish  black;  plates  margined  with  paler; 
marginal  plates  marked  with  bright  red;  plastron  yellow, 
often  blotched  with  brown;  L.  8.  E.  U.  S.,  one  of  the 
most  common  turtles. 

Var.  marginata,  Ag.  Plates  of  carapace  alternating 
or  in  quincunx,  the  lateral  rows  out  of  line  with  the 


164  BEPTILES. 

middle  one,  instead  of  forming  sets  of  three  as  in  the 
eastern  form;  lateral  plates  with  strong  concentric  strire. 
W.  N.  Y.  and  W.,  common.  C.  oreyonensis,  (Holb.)  Ag., 
without  red  markings,  occurs  in  Minn,  and  W. 

6.  MALACOCLEMMYS,  Gray.     MARSH  TURTLES. 

*  Lower  jaw  spread  out  into  a  spoon-shaped  dilatation;  head  with 

a  horny, skin;  inland  turtles.    (Graptemys,  Ag.) 

1.  M.  geographicus,  (LeS.)  Cope.    MAP  TURTLE.    Dark 
olive  brown  with  greenish  and  yellow  streaks  and  retic- 
ulations,  especially  distinct  on   neck,  legs  and  edges  of 
carapace;  plastron  yellowish;  carapace  strongly  notched 
behind  and  usually  decidedly  keeled.     Miss.  Valley,  E. 
to  N.  Y. 

2.  M.  pseudogeographicus,  (Holbr.)  Cope.    LESUEUR'S 
MAP  TURTLE.     Much  like  the  preceding  but  grayer,  the 
markings  on  the  shell  paler,  less  distinct  and  in  larger 
pattern;    keel  of   carapace  stronger,  each  plate  of   the 
vertebral  series  with  a  blackish  projection  behind,  which 
is  more  or  less  imbricated  over  the  succeeding  plate; 
plastron  yellowish,  marbled  with  blackish;    head,   neck 
and  legs  with  bright  yellow  stripes.     Wis.  to  Oliio  and 
S.  W. 

**  Sheath  of  jaws  straight,  the  cutting  edges  smooth;   salt-marsh 
turtles.    (Malacoclemmys.') 

3.  M.     pa/usfris,    ( Gmel. )      SALT  -  MARSH    TURTLE. 
DIAMOND -BACK.     Greenish  or  dark  olive;  plates,  both 
of  carapace  and  plastron,  with  concentric  dark  stripes. 
N.  Y.  to  Texas,  along  the  coast. 

7.  PSEUDEMYS,  Gray.     TERRAPINS. 

*  Jaws  serrated.    (Ptycliemys,  Ag.) 

1.  P.  rugosa,  (Shaw).  RED-BELLIED  TERRAPIN.  Dusky, 
with  red  markings  above;  marginal  plates  with  much 
red;  plastron  red  or  partly  yellowish;  neck,  etc.,  with 


CINOSTERNID^E. — LXVIII.  165 

yellow  stripes;  variable:  N.  J.  to  Va.,  an  elegant  turtle, 

known  by  the  serrated  jaws. 

**  Jaws  not  serrated.    (Trddiemys,  Ag.) 

2.  P.  hieroglyphica,  (Holbr.)     HIEROGLYPHIC  TURTLE. 
Shell  smooth,  depressed;  olive  brown  with  broad  reticu- 
lated, yellowish  lines;  plastron  dingy  yellow;  head  very 
small.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  P.  troostii,  (Holbr.)     YELLOW-BELLIED  TERRA-PIN. 
Greenish  -  black,  lateral  plates  with  horn -colored    lines 
and  spots;  plastron  dull  yellow,  with  large,  black  blotches; 
throat  with  greenish  stripes;  shell  never  keeled.     Miss. 
Valley,  N.  to  Ills. 

4.  P.  elegans,  (Wied.)     ELEGANT  TERRAPIN.     Brown 
with  yellowish  wavy  lines  and  blotches;  a  blood-red  band 
on    each    side    of   neck;    plastron  yellow  with  a   dusty 
blotch  on  each  plate.      Ills,  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

5.  P.  scabra,  (L.)  Cope.      ROUGH  TERRAPIN.     Dark 
brown,  with  yellow  stripes;  plastron  yellow  with  small 
black  blotches  in  front;  carapace  wrinkled.     Va.  to  Fla. 

FAMILY  LXVIII.  — CINOSTERNID^E. 

(The  Cinosternoid  Turtles.) 

Carapace  rather  long  and  narrow,  the  outline  usually 
rising  gradually  from  the  front  to  a  point  beyond  the 
center  of  the  shell,  then  abruptly  descending;  the  bulk 
of  the  body  therefore  thrown  backward;  margin  of  the 
carapace  turning  downward  and  inward  rather  than  out- 
ward; plastron  proportionally  large,  covered  with  7,  9  or 
11  horny  plates,  the  anterior  pair  coalescing  into  one; 
anterior,  and  sometimes  also  posterior  lobe  of  plastron, 
often  movable  upon  the  fixed  central  portion;  head 
pointed;  jaws  usually  strong. 

Turtles  of  small  size,  chiefly  American. 


166  REPTILES. 

*  Anterior  and  posterior  lobes  of  plastron  nearly  equal,  both  freely 
movable  and  capable  of  closing  the  shell;  posterior  lobe 
emarginate  behind,  its  angles  rounded;  carapace  without" 
traces  of  keel  in  adult CINOSTERNUM,  1. 

**  Posterior  lobe  of  plastron  narrower  and  longer,  truncate  behind, 
its  angles  rather  pointed;  lobes  of  plastron  little  movable, 
incapable  of  closing  the  shell ;  carapace  more  or  less  cariu- 
ated,  at  least  when  young;  head  very  large,  with  strong  jaws. 

AROMOCIIELYS,  2. 

/.  CINOSTERNUM,^T&g\QY.     SMALL  Box  TURTLES. 

>  Thrynosternum^  Ag. 

1.  C.  pennsylvanicum,  (Bosc.)  Bell.  SMALL  MUD 
TURTLE.  Shell  dusky  brown;  head  and  neck  with  light 
stripes  and  yellow  dots;  anterior  dorsal  plate  nearly  as 
broad  in  front  as  long;  L.  4.  N.  Y.  to  Fla.  and  W. 

2.  AROMOCHELYS,  Gray.     MUSK  TURTLES. 

=  Ozothecci)  Agassi z. 

1.  A.    odoratus,     (Latreille)     Gray.     MUSK    TURTLE. 
STINK- POT.     Shell  dusky,  clouded,  sometimes  spotted; 
head  very  large  with  strong  jaws;  carapace  with  traces 
of  a  keel,  but  the  plates  not  imbricated  in  the  adult; 
anterior  dorsal   plate  nearly  twice    as   wide  as  long  in 
front;  a  yellow  stripe  from  snout,  above  eye,  down  the 
side  of  neck  and  another  below  eye;  a  strong  musky  odor; 
L.  6.    E.  U.  S.,  abundant.    W.  to  Indiana.    (Levette.) 

2.  A.  carinaius,  Gray.    LITTLE  MUSK  TURTLE.     Plates 
of  carapace  overlapping  more  or  less,  each  one  edged 
with   black   and   marked  with  radiating  stripes;    neck 
unstriped.      Lower   Mississippi   region.      ( Goniochelys 
minor )  Ag.) 

FAMILY  LXIX.  —  CHELYDRID^E. 

(The  Snapping  Turtles) 
Shell  high  in  front,  low  behind;  bulk  of  body  thrown 


TEIONYCHID^E. — LXX.  167 

forward;  head  and  neck  very  large;  jaws  strong-lr 
hooked,  and  exceedingly  powerful;  tail  long,  stroiig, 
with  a  crest  of  horny,  compressed  tubercles;  plastron 
small,  cross-shaped,  covered  with  twelve  plates;  bridge 
very  narrow. 

Large  turtles  of  great  strength  and  voracity,  chiefly 
aquatic;  two  of  the  three  species  are  American,  the 
third  (PZati/sternum)  is  from  China.  Their  fierceness  is 
well  known ;  when  angry  they  elevate  the  body,  and,  in 
biting,  throw  themselves  forcibly  forward. 

*  Head  rough,  covered  with  soft  skin;  tail  with  two  rows  of 
large  scales  beneath;  ridges  of  carapace  disappearing  with 
age;  jaws  moderately  hooked.  .  .  .  CHELYDRA,  1. 

**  Head  very  large,  covered  with  smooth,  symmetrical  plates; 
tail  with  many  small  imbricate  scales  beneath ;  carapace  very 
strongly  three-keeled ;  jaws  very  strongly  hooked. 

MACROCHELYS,  2. 

/.  CHELYDRA,  Schweigger.     SNAPPING  TURTLES. 

1.  C.  serpentina,  (L.)  Schw.  COMMON  SNAPPING 
TURTLE.  Canada  to  Equador,  every  where  abundant. 

2.  MACROCHELYS,  Gray.     ALLIGATOR  SNAPPERS. 

=  Gypochelys,  Ag. 

1.  M.  laceriina,  (Schw.)  MISSISSIPPI  SNAPPER.  Gulf 
States,  N.  to  Illinois;  "perhaps  the  most  ferocious,  and, 
for  their  size,  the  strongest  of  reptiles." 

FAMILY  LXX.  —  TRIONYCHID^. 

(The  Soft-Shelled  Turtles.) 

Body  flat,  nearly  orbicular;  carapace  not  completely 
ossified,  the  ribs  projecting  freely  towards  the  outer 
extremities ;  marginal  ossicles  rudimentary ;  carapace 
and  plastron  covered  by  a  thick  leathery  skin  which  is 
flexible  at  the  margins.  Head  long  and  pointed  with  a 


168  REPTILES. 

long,  flexible,  tubular,  pig-like  snout;  neck  long.     Feet 
broadly  webbed;    toes  long,  5-5,  but  the  claws  only  3-3. 
Aquatic,  carnivorous  and  voracious;  species  about  30, 
in  both  hemispheres. 

*  Nostrils  terminal,  crescent -sh aped ;  a  prominent  longitudinal 
ridge  projecting  from  each  side  of  septum.  ASPIDONECTES,  1. 

**  Nostrils  rather  under  the  tip  of  snout;  nasal  septum  with- 
out an  internal  longitudinal  ridge  on  each  side.  AMYDA,  2. 

/.  ASPIDONECTES,  Wagler.      SOFT -SHELLED  TURTLES. 

1.  A.  spinifer,  (LeSueur)  Ag.   COMMON  SOFT -SHELLED 
TURTLE.    Carapace  olive  brown  with  dark  spots;  plastron 
nearly  white;    head   and   neck   olive   green  with   light 
and  dark  stripes;    legs   and    feet    mottled  every  where 
with  dark;  male  with  the  tubercles  on  the  front  of  the 
carapace  smaller  than  in  the  female,  the  body  also  longer 
and  the  tail  extending  considerably  beyond  the  margin 
of  the  carapace.    Great  Lakes  and   Upper  Mississippi, 
abundant. 

2.  A.  nuchalis,  Ag.    CUMBERLAND  TURTLE.    A  marked 
depression  on  either  side  of  the  keel,  which  is  dilated 
and  triangular  anteriorly;    spines  and  tubercles  on  cara- 
pace largely  developed.     Cumberland  and  Upper  Tenn. 
Rivers. 

2.  AMYDA,  Agassi z.     LEATHERY  TURTLES. 
1.  A.   mufica,   (Les.)   Ag.      LEATHERY   TURTLE.      A 
depression  along  median  line  of  carapace;  no  spines  nor 
tubercles  along  anterior  margin  nor  on  back;    feet  not 
mottled  below.     Upper  Mississippi  and  Great  Lakes. 


ORDER  U.-LACERTILIA. 

(The  Lizards.) 
Reptiles  not  shielded,  with  the  body  usually  covered 


.  —  LXXI.  169 


with  overlapping  scales;  mouth  not  dilatable;  tongue 
free;  jaws  always  with  teeth.  Limbs  four,  distinct, 
rarely  rudimentary  arid  hidden  by  the  skin  ;  a  pectoral 
arch  developed.  Feet  usually  with  five  digits,  the 
phalanges  normally  2,  3,  4,  5,  3  or  4.  Tail  usually  long 
and  in  many  cases  very  brittle,  readily  broken  by  a 
slight  blow;  this  is  owing  to  a  thin,  unossified,  trans- 
verse septum,  which  traverses  each  vertebra.  "  The 
vertebra  naturally  breaks  with  great  readiness  through 
the  plane  of  the  septum,  and  when  such  lizards  are 
seized  by  the  tail,  that  appendage  is  pretty  certain  to 
part  at  one  of  these  weak  points"  (Huxley).  Vent  a 
cross  slit;  urinary  bladder  present.  The  great  majority 
of  the  numerous  species  belong  to  tropical  and  sub- 
tropical regions. 

FAMILY  LXXI.  —  IGUANID^E. 

(The  Iguanas.) 

New  World  lizards  of  various  habits;  the  tongue  short 
and  thick  and  the  eyes  diurnal  with  round  pupils;  scales 
imbricated,  those  on  the  belly  small  and  rhombic.  Feet 
for  walking;  toes  unequal.  Tail  with  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct whorls  of  scales,  which  are  commonly  spinous. 
Warmer  parts  of  America.  Genera  about  sixty;  species 
one  hundred  and  fifty,  or  more.  (Gray.) 

*  Body  moderately  depressed  ;  head  broad,  not  spinous  ;  ventral 
plates  not  keeled  ......        SCELOPORUS,  1. 

**  Body  much  depressed  ;  head  armed  with  stout  spines. 

PHRYNOSOMA,  2. 

/.  SCELOPORUS,  Wiegmann.     THEE  SWIFTS. 

=  TropidolepiS)  Cuvier. 

1.    S.    undu/atus,    (Harlan.)       PINE    TREE    LIZARD. 
SWIFT.     Greenish,  bluish,  or  bronzed,  with  black,  wavy 
cross,  bands  above;  throat  and  sides  of  belly  usually  with 
8 


170  REPTILES. 

brilliant  blue  or  green;  dorsal  scales  rather  large,  cari- 
nated;  tail  slender;  L.  7.  U.  S.,  in  pine  forests,  etc.; 
abundant  southward;  varies  greatly  in  color. 

2.  PHRYNOSOMA,  Wiegmann.  HORNED  TOADS. 
1.  P.  douglasi,  Bell.  HORNED  TOAD.  TEGUEXIN.  No 
row  of  large  spines  along  sides  of  belly;  ventral  scales 
smooth.  Central  and  Western  parts  of  U.  S.  south- 
westward  occurs  P.  cornutum  (Harlan)  Gray,  with  a  row 
of  stout  lateral  spines,  and  carinated  ventral  plates. 


FAMILY  LXXIL— 

(Tlie  Glass  Snakes.) 

Limbs  rudimentary,  hidden  under  the  skin;  body, 
therefore,  snake-like  in  form,  but  the  general  aspect 
lizard-like.  Through  ignorance  of  the  boundaries  of 
this  family,  I  am  unable  to  characterize  it. 

/.  OPHEOSAURUS,  Daudin.    GLASS  SNAKES. 

1.  0.  vent  rails,  (L.)  Baud.  GLASS  SNAKE.  Body 
serpentiform;  a  conspicuous  lateral  fold;  no  external 
limbs;  tail  very  brittle,  as  in  most  lizards;  dusky  and  yel- 
low with  narrow  black  streaks.  Tenn.  to  Kansas  and  S. 


FAMILY  LXXIIL 

(The  Teguexins.) 

New  World  Lizards;  head  pyramidal,  with  regular 
many-sided  shields;  scales  of  back  granular  or  carinated; 
throat  scaly,  usually  with  a  double  collar.  Warmer 
parts  of  America;  genera  12;  species  about  40. 

/.  CNEMIDOPHORUS,  Wiegmann.     TARAGUIRAS. 
1.  C.  sexlineatus,  (L.)  D.  &  B.     SIX-LINED   LIZARD. 
Olive,  with  3  or  4  yellow  streaks  on  each  side;  abdomen 


SCINCIDJE. — LXXIV.  171 

silvery;    length  6  to  9  inches.      S.  E.  Va.  to  Ills,  and 
Mexico. 

FAMILY  LXXIV.— SCINCID^E. 

(The  Skinks.) 

Head  subquadrangular;  regularly  shielded;  body  fusi- 
form or  subcylindrical,  often  with  longitudinal  stripes; 
limbs  4,  various.  Genera  50;  species  150;  in  most  parts 
of  the  world. 

*  Ear  large;  its  front  edge  dentate ;  lower  eye -lid  scaly. 

EUMECES,  1. 

**  Ear  very  large,  circular,  its  front  edge  rounded;  lower  eye -lid 
with  a  transparent  disk OLIGOSOMA,  2. 

/.  EUMECES,  Wiegmann.     BLUE  TAILS. 

=  Plestiodon,  Auct. 

1.  E.  fasc/'atus,  (L.)    BLUE-TAILED  LIZARD.   Blackish, 
with  fine  yellowish  streaks,  middle  one  forked  on  the 
head;  tail  mostly  blue;  old  specimens  sometimes  red- 
dish olive,  obscurely  striped;    head  reddish;  L.  8  to  11. 
U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mts.;  abundant  S.;  very  variable. 

2.  £.  septenfriona/is,  (Baird)  Cope.    NORTHERN  SKINK. 
Olive,  with    four   dark  stripes   above;    sides  with   two 
narrow  white  lines  margined  on  each  side  with  black. 
Minnesota  to  Nebraska. 

3.  E.    anthracinus,    (Baird)    Cope.      COAL    SKINK. 
Black  (?).     Alleganies,  from  Penn.  S. 

2.  OLIGOSOMA,  Girard.     Mocos. 

1.  0.  laterals,  (Say.)  Grd.  GROUND  LIZARD.  Chest- 
nut color;  on  each  side  a  black  lateral  band,  edged  with 
white;  abdomen  yellowish;  tail  blue  below;  head  short; 
small  and  slender;  L.  5.  Southern  States,  abundant;  N. 
to  Illinois.  (Nelson.) 


172  BEPTILES. 

OEDEE  V.-OPHIDIA. 

(The  Serpents.) 

Reptiles,  not  shielded,  with  an  epidermal  covering  of 
imbricated  scales,  which  is  shed  as  a  whole  and  replaced 
at  regular  intervals.  Mouth  very  dilatable,  the  bones  of 
the  lower  jaw  separate  from  each  other,  only  united 
by  ligaments.  Limbs  wanting,  or  represented  by  small 
spurs  on  the  sides  of  the  vent;  vent  a  transverse  slit. 
Various  anatomical  characters  distinguish  the  snakes, 
but  the  elongated  form  and  absence  of  limbs  separate 
them  at  once  from  all  our  other  Vertebrates,  excepting 
the  Lizard  Opheosaurm,  and  this  is  not  in  any  other 
respect,  snake-like. 

FAMILY  LXXV.  (a)  —  COLUBRIDJE. 
(The  Colubrine  Snakes.) 

Both  jaws  fully  provided  with  teeth,  which  are  conical 
and  not  grooved;  head  covered  with  shields;  no  poison 
fangs;  no  spur -like  appendages  to  vent;  belly  covered 
with  broad  band  -  like  plates  (gastrosteges) ;  tail  conical, 
tapering;  sub -caudal  plates  (urosteges)  arranged  in 
pairs. 

A  very  large  family  comprising  nearly  one  hundred 
genera,  and  upwards  of  four  hundred  species,  found 
in  nearly  every  part  of  the  world,  but  most  abundant  in 
warm  regions.  They  differ  from  the  Elapidce  of  the 
Southern  U.  S.  and  southward,  in  the  want  of  erect 
poison  fangs;  from  the  Crotalidce,  in  having  both  jaws 
fully  provided  with  teeth,  and  the  absence  of  erectile 
poison  fangs;  and  from  the  Boidoe,  and  their  relatives  in 
the  want  of  the  spur  -  like  rudimentary  posterior  limbs. 

The  following  key  is  entirely  artificial,  and  in  the 
consideration  of  the  species,  I  have  generally  omitted 


COLUBRID^E. — LXXV.  173 

characters  taken  from  the  cephalic  plates  as  not  available 
for  my  purpose. 
*  Dorsal  scales  carinated. 
f  Anal  plate  entire. 

a.  Rows  of  scales  19  to  21 ;  ventral  plates  (gastrosteges)  140  to 

170 ;   general  color  3  light  stripes  on  a  darker  ground ; 
sides  usually  with  spots ;  mostly  viviparous. 

EUT^LNIA,  5. 

aa.  Rows  of  scales  29  to  37 ;  gastrosteges  200  to  240 ;    general 
color  whitish  with  a  triple  series  of  dark  blotches. 

PITYOPHIS,  7. 
f  f  ^xnal  plate  bifid. 

b.  Rows  of  scales  15  to  17. 

c.  Tail  about  one-third  of  total  length ;  gastrosteges  150  to 
160 ;  urosteges  100  or  more ;  color  clear  golden  green. 

CYCLOPHIS,  9. 

ce.  Tail  much  less  than  one-third  of  total  length ;  gastro- 
steges 125  to  130 ;  urosteges  60  or  less ;  color  brown  or 
reddish. 

d.  With  one  or  two   faint  grayish  dorsal  stripes  and 

usually  a  broken  dusky  band  along  sides;    small 

species:  rows  of  scales  15  to  17;   loral  plate  absent; 

anteorbital  present.         .        .        .         STORERIA,  4. 

dd.  No  dorsal  stripe;    rows  of  scales  17;    loral  plate 

present ;  anteorbital  wanting.         .         HALDEA,  16. 

bb.  Rows  of  scales  19  to  21. 

e.  Gastrosteges  130  to  170 ;  general  color  usually  3  or  more 
dark  bands  on  a  lighter  ground ;  size  large; 

TROPIDONOTUS,  2. 

ee.  Gastrosteges  130  to  140 ;  general  color  brown  with  many 
obscure  black  cross-blotches,  distinct  on  neck ;  belly 
salmon  red  with  a  row  of  black  spots  on  each  side ; 

size  small TROPIDOCLONIUM,  3. 

bbb.  Rows  of  scales  23  to  29. 

/.  Form  short  and  stout ;  snout  prominent,  acute,  recurved 
and  keeled,  forming  a  sharp  ridge;  head  flattened 
when  angry ;  gastrosteges  125  to  150.  HETERODON,  1. 


174  BEPTILBS. 

ff.  Snout  not  recurved  and  keeled ;  species  of  large  size. 
g.  Gastrosteges  130  to  155 ;  general  color  3  series  of  dark 
blotches  on  a  lighter  ground,  sometimes  simply 
barred  or  uniformly  dark  or  reddish ;  aquatic. 

TROPIDONOTUS,  2. 

gg.  Gastrosteges  200  to  235 ;  general  color  brown  or  black, 
sometimes  with  quadrate  blotches ;  abdomen  usually 
blotched ;   terrestrial.       .       .       .       COLUBER,  8. 
**  Dorsal  scales  smooth. 

\  Anal  plate  entire ;  gastrosteges  175  to  200  •  color  black,  brown 

or  red,  more  or  less  variegated. 
h.  Rows  of  scales  21  to  25 ;  loral  plate  present. 

OPHIBOLUS,  12. 

hh.  Rows  of  scales  19 ;  no  loral  plate.       .      .      OSCEOLA,  13. 
\\  Anal  plate  bifid ;  scales  in  13  to  17  rows. 
i.  Gastrosteges  170  to  210 ;   scales  in  17  rows ;    snakes  very 
large  or  very  long  —  ours  lustrous  pitch  black  in  color 

when  adult BASCANITJM.  6. 

it.  Gastrosteges  less  than  170 ;  snakes  of  medium  to  small  size. 
j.  Scales  in  13  rows ;  gastrosteges  120  to  135 ;  brown,  salmon 
color  or  yellowish  beneath.       .       CARPHOPHIOPS,  18. 
jj.  Scales  in  15  to  17  rows. 

k.  Color  black,  unstriped ;  a  distinct  yellowish  ring  about 

neck";  gastrosteges  140  to  160.      .      DPADOPHIS,  11. 

kk.  Color  clear  bright  green ;  no  collar ;  gastrosteges  130 

to  140 LIOPELTIS,  10. 

kkk.  Color  brownish,  with  black  dots ;  no  collar ;    gastro- 
steges 115  to  125 VIRGINIA,  17. 

\\\  Anal  plate  bifid ;  scales  in  19  rows ;  gastrosteges,  170  to  185. 
I.  Bluish  black  with  squarish  red  spots  on  the  blanks ;  abdomen 

red  with  black  spots FARANCIA,  14. 

U.  Blue-black,  with  three  red  lines ;  abdomen  yellowish  with 
a  series  of  dark  spots ABASTOR,  15. 

/.  HETERODON,  Beauvais.     SPREADING  ADDERS. 
1.  Jf.  platyrhinuSf  Latreille.     BLOWING  VIPEB.     HOG- 


COLUBKID^E. — LXXV.  175 

NOSE  SNAKE.  Brownish,  with  about  28  dark  dorsal 
blotches,  besides  lateral  ones  and  half  rings  on  the  tail; 
sometimes  uniform  black.  Vertical  plate  longer  than 
broad,  about  equal  to  occipitals;  L.  30;  G.  125  to  150; 
scales  25.  E.  U.  S.,  abundant.  A  very  variable  species; 
when  angry  it  depresses  and  expands  the  head,  hissing 
furiously,  thus  exhibiting  a  very  threatening  appearance, 
but  it  is  perfectly  harmless. 

2.  H.  simus,  (L.)  Holbrook.  HOG- NOSED  SNAKE. 
Dorsal  blotches  about  35 ;  ground  color  usually  paler  or 
yellowish  brown;  vertical  plate  much  longer  than  occip- 
itals, broader  than  long;  G.  130;  scales  23  to  27,  usually 
26.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills,  and  Wis. 

2.  TROPIDONOTUS,  Kuhl.    WATER  SNAKES. 
*  Scales  in  23  to  29  rows.    (Nerodia,  B.  &  G.) 

1.  T.  sipedon,  (L.)  Holbr.     WATER  SNAKE.     WATER 
ADDER.     Brownish;  back  and  sides  with  each  a  series  of 
large,  square,  dark  blotches  alternating  with  each  other; 
rarely  uniformly  dusky;  scales  23;  G.  130  to  150;  L.  30 
to  50.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant;  aquatic. 

Var.  erythrogaster,  (Shaw)  Cope.  RED -BELLIED 
WATER  SNAKE.  Uniform  red-black  above;  copper-color 
below;  head  elongated.  Michigan  to  Kansas  and  S. 

Var.  woodhousei,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.  Scales  in  25  rows. 
Mo.  to  Texas. 

2.  T.    rhombifer,    Hallowell.      HOLBROOK'S  WATER 
SNAKE.      Brown,   with    black    quadrangular    blotches; 
scales  in  27  rows.     Mich.,  Ills,  and  S. 

**  Scales  in  19  to  21  rows.    (Regina,  B.  &  G.) 

3.  T.  rigidus,  (Say)  Holbr.     STIFF  SNAKE.     Greenish 
brown;    two  brown  dorsal  bands;    abdomen  yellowish, 
spotted;  outer  row  of  scales  smooth;  scales  19;  G.  130 
to  170;  L.  24.     Penn.  to  Ga. 


176  REPTILES. 

4.  T.  leberis,  (L.)  Holbr.    LEATHER  SNAKE.    Chestnut 
brown;    a  yellow  lateral  band  and  three  narrow  black 
dorsal  stripes;  scales  all  carinated;  scales  19;  G.  140  to 
150;  L.  24.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward. 

5.  T.  grahami,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.     GRAHAM'S  SNAKE. 
Brown;  a  broad  yellowish  lateral  band;  scales  all  strongly 
carinated;    head    slender;    abdomen    unspotted;    scales 
19  (to  31?);  G.  160;  L.  20.     -Mississippi  Valley,  N.  to 
Michigan. 

3.   TROPIDOCLONIUM,  Cope.     LITTLE  RED  SNAKES. 

1.  T.  k/rt/andi,  ( Kenn.)  Cope.  KIRTLAND'S  SNAKE. 
Head  shiny  black;  vertical  plate  broad;  scales  19,  all 
carinated;  G.  130  to  140;  L.  8.  Ohio  to  111.;  a  hand- 
some little  snake. 

4.  STORERIA,  Baird  and  Girard.   RED  -  BELLIED  SNAKES. 

=  Isch)i,ognathus,  Dum.  &  Bibron. 

1.  S.  occ/pitomacu/ata,  (Storer)  B.  &  G.     RED-BELLIED 
SNAKE.     Grayish  or  chestnut  brown,  usually  showing  a 
paler  vertebral  band  bordered  by  blackish  dots;  obscure 
dots  on   side;    occiput  with  three  pale    blotches  (very 
constant);  belly  salmon  red;  scales  15;  G.  120  to  125; 
L.  12.     U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward;  abundant. 

2.  S.  dekayi,   (Holbr.)  B.  &  G.      DEKAY'S  BROWN 
SNAKE.      Grayish   brown;    a  clay -colored  dorsal  band, 
bordered  by  dotted  lines;  grayish  below;  body  thickish, 
tapering  towards  the  small  head;  scales  17;    G.   125  to 
130;  L.  12.     E.  U.  S. 

5.  EUT/ENIA,  Baird  and  Girard.     GARTER  SNAKES. 

*  Body  very  slender,    elongated;    tail  nearly  one-third  of  total 
length;  scales  in  19  rows. 

1.  £.  saurita,  (L.)  B.  &  G.     RIBAND  SNAKE.     SWIFT 


COLUBRID^E. — LXXV.  177 

GARTER  SNAKE.  Brown  with  three  yellow  stripes; 
light,  clear  brown,  below  the  lateral  stripes;  tail  usually 
more  than  ^  of  length;  colors  bright;  G.  150  to  160;  L. 
36.  U.  S.,  chiefly  E.  of  the  Alleghanies. 

2.  £.   faireyi,  B.  &  G.       FAIRIE'S    GARTER   SNAKE. 
Blackish,  with  three  greenish  yellow  stripes;  body  rela- 
tively stout;  tail  less  than  ^  length;  space  below  bands 
same    color  as  above;    G.    165  to  180;    L.    30.      Miss. 
Valley,  N.  to  Wis. 

3.  E.  proximo.,  (Say)  B.  &  G.     SAY'S  GARTER  SNAKE. 
Blackish,  dorsal  stripe  brownish  yellow;  lateral  stripes 
greenish;  tail  |  of  total  length;  sides  colored  like  back; 
G.  165  to  175;  L.  35.     Miss.  Valley,  N.  to  Wis. 

**  Body  stouter ;  tail  shorter,  about  J-  of  total  length ;  scales  19. 

4.  E.  radix,  Baird  &  Girard.     HOY'S  GARTER  SNAKE. 
Black  with  three  narrow  yellow  lines;  scales  very  rough, 
the  outer  row  broad;  colors  deep;  head  short;  G.  150  to 
160;  L.  25.     L.  Michigan  to  Oregon. 

5.  E.  sirtalis,  (L.)  B.  &  G.     COMMON  GARTER  SNAKE. 
STRIPED  SNAKE.     Olivaceous,  dorsal  stripe  narrow;  lat- 
eral  stripes  rather  broad  but  not  conspicuous  ;    colors 
generally  duller  than  in  the  other  species,  lateral  rows 
of  spots  more  or  less  distinct;  G.  130  to  160.     N.  Am., 
every   where  ;    our   commonest   snake ;    very   variable. 
Prominent  varieties  are: 

Var.  ordinata,  (L.)  Cope,  has  the  stripes  duller  and 
the  spots  more  distinct,  85  in  number.  Chiefly  north- 
eastward. 

Var.  dorsal  is,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope,  has  the  dorsal  stripe 
broad,  and  a  row  of  distinct  spots  above  the  lateral  stripe. 
N.  Am.,  every  where. 

Var.    parietalis,   (Say.)   Cope,   has  the   stripes   dull 


178  REPTILES. 

greenish  and  the  spaces  between  the  lateral  spots  vivid 
brick  red.     Ind.  (Jordan)  and  W. 

6.  BASCANIUM,  Baird  and  Girard.     BLACK  SNAKES. 
>  Coryphodon,  Dumeril  et  Bibron. 

1.  B.  constrictor,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  BLACK  SNAKE.  Lus- 
trous pitch  black,  greenish  below,  chin  and  throat  white; 
young  olive  with  rhomboid  blotches  ;  large,  rather 
slender;  scales  17  (rarely  19);  G.  170  to  200;  L.  50  to 
60.  E.  U.  S.,  common  E.  and  S. 

7.  PITYOPHIS,  Holbrook.     PINE  SNAKES. 

1.  P.   melanoleucus,   (Daud.)   Holb.      PINE    SNAKE. 
BULL  SNAKE.     White,  with  chestnut    brown    blotches 
which  are  margined  with  black,  besides  other  markings; 
scales  29;  G.  220  to  230;  L.  60.     Pine  woods;  N.  J.  to 
Ohio  and  southward. 

2.  P.  sayi,  (Schlegel)  B.  &  G.    WESTERN  PINE  SNAKE. 
Whitish  or  reddish,  with  many  dark  blotches  and  spots; 
scales  usually  25;  G.  220  to  230;  L.  40  to  70.    Western, 
E.  to  Wis 

8.  COLUBER,  Linnaeus.     RACERS. 
>  Scotophis,  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  guttatus,  L.     SPOTTED  RACER.     Red  brown  with 
a  dorsal  series  of  large,  red,  dark -edged  blotches;  belly 
checkered  with  black;  scales  27;  G.  210  to  230;  L.  50. 
Virginia  and  S. 

2.  C.  obsoletus,  Say.   PILOT  SNAKE.   RACER.   Lustrous 
black,  some  scales  white -edged;  vertical  plate  longer 
than  broad;  scales  27;  G.  235;  L.  50  to  75.     Mass,  to 
Ills,  and  Texas;   one  of  our  largest  snakes.     (G.  alle- 
ghaniensiS)  Holbr.) 


COLUBRID.E. — LXXV.  179 

3.  C.  vulpinus,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.     Fox  SNAKE.     Light 
brown,  with  quadrate,  chocolate-colored  blotches;  verti- 
cal plate  broader  than  long;    scales  25;  G.  200  to  210; 
L.  60.     Mass,  to  Kansas  and  Northward. 

4.  C.  emoryi,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope.    EMORY'S  RACER.    Ashy 
gray   with   transverse    brown   blotches;    vertical    plate 
elongated;  6  or  8  median  rows  of  scales  only  carinated; 
scales  29;  G.  210  to  220;  L.  40  to  50.     Ills,  to  Kansas 
and  Texas. 

9.     CYCLOPHSS,    Giinther.      SUMMER   SNAKES. 

Leptophis^  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  (Bstivus,  (L.)  Giinther.  SUMMER  GREEN  SNAKE. 
Head  conical,  neck  very  small;  bright  clear  green,  yel- 
lowish below;  scales  17;  G.  150  to  160;  L.  30.  Southern, 
N.  to  N.  J.  and  Ills.,  abundant  in  the  mountains;  a  most 
exquisite  little  creature. 

10.  LIOPELTIS,  Fitzinger.  GREEN  SNAKES. 
1.  L.  vernalis,  (DeKay)  Jan.  GREEN  SNAKE.  GRASS 
SNAKE.  SPRING  SNAKE.  Head  elongate,  neck  slender; 
eyes  very  large ;  uniform  deep  green  (bluish  in  spirits), 
yellowish  below;  scales  15;  G.  130  to  140;  L.  20.  E. 
U.  S.,  chiefly  northerly;  a  beautiful  species. 

//.  D I  ADO  PHIS,  Baird  and  Girard.     RING -NECKED 

SNAKES. 

<  Ablabes,  D.  &  B. 

1.  D.  punctatus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  RING  -  NECKED  SNAKE. 
Head  depressed;  eye  rather  large;  blue-black  above, 
bright  pale  orange  below  (yellowish  in  spirits);  each 
plate  usually  with  a  black  spot;  yellowish  occipital  ring 
conspicuous;  scales  15;  G.  140  to  160;  L.  15.  Whole 
U.S. 


180  REPTILES. 

Var.  amabilis,  (B.  &  G.)  Cope,  is  slender,  with  180  or 
more  gastrosteges;  below  darker  and  more  spotted. 
Western,  E.  to  Ohio. 

2.  D.  arnyi,  Kenn.  ARNY'S  RING -NECKED  SNAKE. 
Lead  black;  belly  spotted  and  mottled  with  black; 
occipital  ring  narrow,  scales  17.  Ills,  to  Kansas. 

12.  OPHI BOLUS,  Baird  and  Girard.     KING  SNAKES. 

<  Coronella,  Laurenti. 

<  Lamproptltis,  Auct. 

1.  0.  getulus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.    CHAIN  SNAKE.    THUNDER 
SNAKE.     Black  with  narrow  yellowish  lines  forking  on 
the  flanks,  each  fork  embracing  a  large  black  spot;  belly 
checkered;  scales  21;  G.  210  to  225;    L.  50.     Maryland 
to  La.,  E.  of  the  mountains;  variable;  represented  west- 
ward by 

Var.  sayi,  (Holbr.)  Cope.  KING  SNAKE.  Lustrous 
black,  many  scales  with  a  whitish  spot  in  the  center. 
Alleghany  to  Rocky  Mts.,  abundant,  N.  to  Ills.;  a  hand- 
some species. 

2.  0.  doliatus,  (L.)  B.  &  G.  RED  SNAKE.  CORN  SNAKE, 
etc.     Red  with  twenty  to  twenty -five  pairs  of  black 
rings,  each  set  enclosing  a  yellowish  one;    head  red; 
scales  21;    G.  180  to  210;    L.  30  to  50.     Md.  to  Kansas 
and  S.;    exceedingly  variable,  running  by  degrees  into 
the    following   variety,   extremes   of    which   bear    little 
resemblance  to  the  typical  doliatus. 

Var.  iriangulus,  (Boie.)  Cope.  MILK  SNAKE.  HOUSE 
SNAKE.  SPOTTED  ADDER.  Grayish,  with  three  series  of 
brown,  rounded  blotches  bordered  with  black,  about  fifty 
of  them  in  the  dorsal  row;  an  arrow-shaped  occipital 


COLUBRLD^E. — LXXV.  181 

spot;  scales,  etc.,  as  in  preceding.  Va.  to  Iowa,  and 
northward;  very  common.  \Goronella  eximia^  (DeKay) 
Jan.] 

3.  0.  calligasier,  (Say.)  Cope.  KENNICOTT'S  CHAIN 
SNAKE.  Light  olive  gray,  with  about  sixty  quadrate, 
chestnut  colored,  emarginate  blotches  on  back  and  two 
rows  of  smaller  ones  on  each  side;  scales  in  25  rows. 
Ills,  to  Kansas.  (O.  evansi^  Kenn.) 

13.  OSCEOLA,  Baird  and  Girard.     SCARLET  SNAKES. 

1.  0.  elapsoidea,  (Holbr.)  B.  &  G.  SCARLET  SNAKE. 
Brilliant  red,  with  about  fifteen  pairs  of  jet  black  rings 
on  body  and  three  on  tail,  each  pair  enclosing  a  white 
ring;  the  black  rings  tapering  towards  the  sides,  £he 
white  ones  spreading;  resembles  closely  0.  doliatus\ 
scales  19;  G.  175  to  180;  L.  20.  Va.  to  Fla. 

14.  PARANOIA,  Gray.    HORN  SNAKES. 

<   Calopisma,  D.  &  B. 

1.  F.  abacura,  (Holb.)  B.  &  G.  RED-BELLIED  HORN 
SNAKE.  Blue-black  with  red  lateral  spots;  eyes  small; 
scales  19;  G.  175;  L.  36.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills.  (Nel- 
son.) 

15.  ABASTOR,  Gray.     RED-SIDED  SNAKES. 

1.  A.  erythrogrammus,  (Daudin)  Gray.  RED- LINED 
SNAKE.  Blue-black;  sides  with  three  red  lines;  eyes 
very  large;  nostrils  in  the  middle  of  nasal  plate;  scales 
19;  G.  180;  L.  25.  Southern,  N.  to  Ills.  (Nelson.) 

16.  HALDEA,  Baird  &  Girard.     BROWN  SNAKES. 

=  ConocepfialiiS)  D.  <£  B. 
1.  H.  striatu/a,  (L.)  B.  &  G.     BROWN  SNAKE.    Head 


182  BEPTILES. 

elongated,  on  a  small  neck;    reddish  gray,  salmon  red 
beneath;  scales  17;  G.  125  to  130;  L.  10.     Va.  to  Texas. 

17.   VIRGINIA,  Baird  and  Girard.     BROWN  SNAKES. 

1.  /.  Valerias,  B.  &  G.     VALERIA   BLANEY'S  SNAKE. 
Head  elliptical;    body  slender;    brownish  with  minute 
black  dots,  often  in  two  rows;  yellowish  beneath;  scales 
15;  G.  120  to  130;  L.  12.     Md.  to  Ills,  and  S. 

2.  V.  e/eganSf  Kenn.      KENNICOTT'S  BROWN  SNAKE. 
Scales  much  narrower;  uniform  olivaceous  above;  yel- 
lowish beneath;  scales  17.     S.  Ills,  to  Ark. 

18.  CARPHOPHIOPS,  Gervais.    WORM  SNAKES. 
=  Celuta,  B.  &  G. 

1.  C.  amcenus,  (Say)  Cope.    GROUND  SNAKE.    Glossy 
chestnut   brown;    belly   salmon -red;    head   very   small; 
vertical  plate  broad;    nasal  plate  large,  pierced  by  the 
nostril;  scales  13;  G.  120  to  130;  L.  12.     Mass,  to  Ills, 
and  S. 

2.  C.    helence,   (Kenn.)   Cope.      HELEN  TENNISON'S 
SNAKE.     Lustrous  chestnut -brown,  flesh  color  beneath; 
snout  short  and  narrow;  a  single  pair  of  frontal  plates; 
scales  13.     S.  Ills,  to  Miss. 

3.  C.  vermis,  (Kenn.)  Cope.  WORM  SNAKE.    Purplish- 
black,  two  pairs  of   frontals,  as  in  C.  amcenus;    belly 
flesh  color,  color  extending  on  sides;  scales  13;    larger 
than  the  othejrs.     Missouri  to  Kansas. 

FAMILY  LXXV.  (b.)  —  ELAPIDJE. 

(TJie  Harlequin  Snakes.) 

Venomous  snakes,  provided  with  two  or  more  perman- 
ently erect,  grooved  fangs  in  the  upper  jaw,  and  usually 
a  series  of  smaller  teeth  behind  them;  scales  not  carin- 
ated;  head  usually  quadrangular,  with  flat  crown  and 


CBOTALIILE. — LXXYI.  183 

short  muzzle;  no  loral  plate.  Genera  15;  species  about 
50,  chiefly  East  Indian,  a  few  inhabiting  the  warmer 
parts  of  America. 

*  Anal  plate  entire ;  urosteges  two-rowed ;  scales  in  15  rows. 

ELAPS,  1. 

/.  ELAPS,  Schneider.  HARLEQUIN  SNAKES. 
1.  £.  fulvius,  (L.)  Guv.  BEAD  SNAKE.  Jet  black, 
with  about  17  broad  crimson  rings,  each  bordered  with 
yellow,  and  spotted  below  with  black;  a  yellow  occipital 
band;  tail  with  yellow  rings;  L.  30;  G.  200  to  215;  U. 
32.  Va.  to  Ark.  and  S.  A  beautiful  snake,  mild  in  dis- 
position and  apparently  harmless,  although  provided  with 
venom-fangs.  Resembles  Osceola  and  Ophibolus. 

FAMILY  LXXVL  —  CROTALIDJE. 

(The  Crotalid  Snakes.) 

Upper  jaw  destitute  of  solid  teeth,  but  provided 
with  an  erectile,  grooved  poison-fang  on  each  side  in 
front;  a  deep  pit  between  eye  and  nostril.  Tail  often 
provided  with  a  rattle,  composed  of  horny  rings  of  modi- 
fied epidermis.  Urosteges  generally  undivided,  at  least 
anteriorly.  Scales  carinated  in  all  our  species.  Species 
50,  more  or  less,  all  American,  and  renowned  for  the 
deadliness  of  their  venom. 

*  Tail  with  a  rattle. 

f  Top  of  head  covered  with  small,  scale-like  plates,  larger  ones 
in  front;  size  large;  rattle  large.        ,        .      CROTALUS,  1. 
ff  Top  of  head  with  9  large  plates ;  size  small ;  rattle  small. 

CAUDISONA,  2. 
**  Tail  without  a  rattle ;  general  color  chestnut,  variegated. 

ANCISTRODON,  3. 

/.  CROTALUS,  Linnaeus.     RATTLESNAKES. 
1.  C.  horridus,  L.     BANDED  OR  NORTHERN  RATTLE- 
SNAKE.   Sulphur  brown  of  various  shades,  with  two  rows 


184  REPTILES, 

of  confluent,  brown,  lozenge  -  shaped  spots;  tail  black; 
a  light  loral  line  with  a  dark  patch  beneath;  scales  23  to 
25;  G.  165  to  170;  L.  40  to  60.  U.  S.,  chiefly  eastward 
and  southward,  in  rocky  places;  rapidly  becoming  ex- 
tinct; several  other  species  occur  southwestward.  (C. 
durisnt&i  Auct.) 

2.  CAUDISONA,  Laurenti.     MASSASSAUGAS. 

=  Crotalophorus,  Gray. 

1.  C.  iergemlna,  (Say.)  Cope.  MASSASSAUGA.  PRAIRIE 
RATTLESNAKE.  Brown  or  blackish  with  about  seven 
series  of  deep  chestnut  blotches,  sometimes  entirely 
black;  scales  25;  G.  140  to  150;  L.  30.  Prairie  region, 
E.  to  the  Alleghanies;  abundant  in  grassy  fields  where 
not  exterminated. 

3.  ANCISTRODON,  Beauvais.    COPPERHEADS. 
>  Toxicophis,  Troost. 
<  Trigonocephalus,  Holbr.,  etc. 

1.  A.  confortr/'x,  (L.)  B.  &  G.    COPPERHEAD.    COTTON 
MOUTH.      Hazel  brown;    top  of    head  bright  coppery, 
back  with  a  series  of  fifteen  to  twenty-five  dark  blotches 
having  something  the  form  of  an  inverted  Y;   yellowish 
below  with  dark  blotches;   scales  23;  G.  150  to  160;  L. 
35  to  40.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly. 

2.  A.  atrofuscus,  (Troost)  B.  &  G.     BLACK  MOCCASIN. 
Dusky  above,  with   smoky   gray  blotches;    tail    black; 
belly  white,  blotched  with  black  and  minutely  punctate; 
upper  lip  white;  scales  25;  G.  130  to  140;  L.  25.     Mts. 
of  Tenn.  and  N.  C. 

3.  A.   pise i vows,  (Holbr.)  Cope.     WATER  MOCCASIN. 
Greenish  brown  with  dark  vertical  bars;  scales  25;  G. 
140;    L.   30.     Aquatic;    southern,  probably  not  in  our 
limits. 


BATBACHIANS.  185 


(The  Batrachians.) 

Cold-blooded  Vertebrates,  allied  to  the  fishes,  but 
differing  in  several  respects,  notably  in  the  absence  of 
rayed  fins,  the  limbs  being  usually  developed  and  func- 
tional, with  the  skeletal  elements  of  the  limbs  of 
Reptiles;  toes  usually  without  claws. 

The  Batrachians  undergo  a  more  or  less  complete 
metamorphosis;  the  young  ("tadpoles")  being  aquatic 
and  fish -like,  breathing  by  means  of  external  gills  or 
branchiae;  later  in  life,  lungs  are  developed  and  (except- 
ing in  Proteidci)  the  gills  disappear.  Skin  naked  and 
moist  (rarely  having  imbedded  scales)  and  used  to  some 
extent  as  an  organ  of  respiration.  Heart  with  two 
auricles  and  a  single  ventricle. 

Reproduction  by  means  of  eggs  which  are  of  com- 
paratively small  size,  without  hard  shell,  developed  in 
water  or  in  moist  situations. 

The  Batrachians  differ  more  from  the  Fishes  in 
appearance  than  in  reality,  and  they  are  sometimes 
combined  into  one  group  (Ichthyopsida),  the  Birds  and 
Reptiles  constituting  another  (Sauropsida). 

ORDERS  OF  BATRACHIA. 

*  Body  short,  depressed ;  tail  wanting  in  the  adult;  four  dereloped 

limbs,  the  posterior  being  much  enlarged.      .      ANUKA,  W. 

**  Body  lengthened,  with  a  distinct  tail ;  hind  limbs  if  present 

not  specially  elongated. 

f  With  no  external  gills  or  branchiae  when  adult ;     eyelids 
present URODELA,  X. 


186  BATRACHIANS. 

ft  External  branchiae  and  gill  clefts  persistent  through  life ;  no 
eyelids PBOTEIDA,  Y. 

W.    FAMILIES  OF  ANURA. 

*  Fingers  and  toes  tapering  or  cylindrical,  not  dilated  into  a  disk 

at  their  tips. 

f  With  teeth  in  the  jaws ;  toes  completely  webbed. 
a.  No  spur  at  the  heel ;  fingers  often  webbed ;  chiefly  aquatic. 

RANIDJS,  77. 

aa.  One  of  the  bones  of  the  heel  forming  a  sharp,  flat-edged 
spur ;  fingers  scarcely  webbed ;  chiefly  terrestrial. 

SCAPHIOPIDJE,  78. 
•j-f  Jaws  toothless ;  toes  webbed ;  skin  more  or  less  warty ;  ter- 

restrial BUFONID^E,  80. 

**  Fingers  and  toes  dilated  at  their  tips,  forming  a  viscous  disk ; 
arboreal HYLID^E,  79. 

X.    FAMILIES  OF  URODELA. 

*  No  spiracles  or  openings  in  the.  sides  of  the  neck  in  the  adult. 

•*•  Sides  (in  our  species)  with  a  row  of  round  red  or  yellowish  spots 
which  are  bordered  with  black  (these  very  rarely  obsolete) ; 
belly  dotted  with  black ;  tarsus  and  carpus  ossified ;  verte- 
brae opisthocoelian  (not  biconcave).        PLEUKODELID^E,  81. 
ff  Spots,  if  any,  not  as  above. 
J  Carpus  and  tarsus  cartilaginous ;  tongue  much  smaller  and 

more  extensively  free  than  in  the  next, 
a.  Vertebras  concave  behind  only  (opisthocoelian.) 

DESMOGNATHID^,  82. 
aa.  Vertebrae  biconcave  (ainphiccelian.) 

PLETHODONTIIXE,  83. 

\\  Carpus  and  tarsus  ossified ;  vertebrae  arnphicoeliau;  tongue 
large,  thick,  papillose,  attached  by  its  base,  with  a  narrow 
free  margin ;  salamanders  usually  of  large  size  and  dark 

colors AMBLYSTOMIDJE,  84. 

**  With  a  spiracle  or  rounded  opening  in  each  side  of  the  neck : 

size  large. 

I,  Limbs  well  developed ;  toes  4-5.       .      .      MENOPOMIDJE,  85. 
lib.  Limbs  rudimentary ;  toes  2-2  or  3-3.     .     AMPHIUMID^E,  86. 


RANID^E. — LXXVH.  187 

Y.    FAMILIES  OF  PROTEIDA. 

*  Hind  legs  present;  both  jaws  with  teeth;  form  salamander-like. 

PnoTEnxE,  87. 
**  Hind  legs  wanting ;  upper  jaw  toothless;  form  eel-like. 

SLRENHXE,  88. 


OEDEE  W.-AJSTTTEA. 

(The  Tailless  Batracliians.) 

Body  nearly  or  quite  naked,  short  and  broad;  all  four 
limbs  present;  tail  wanting  in  the  adult;  young  (tadpole) 
fish-like,  with  broad  head,  external  branchiae,  a  long  tail, 
no  limbs  and  no  teeth;  the  intestinal  canal  very  long, 
adapted  for  a  vegetable  diet;  from  this  form  by  degrees 
it  develops  into  the  adult  animal  which  is  always  more 
or  less  Frog-like. 

FAMILY  LXXVIL  —  RANID^E. 

(The  Frogs.) 

Tailless  Batrachians  with  the  tongue  adherent  in  front 
and  more  or  less  free  behind;  fingers  four,  toes  five, 
both  commonly  webbed;  ear  well  developed,  jaws  and 
usually  vomer,  with  teeth;  chiefly  aquatic.  Genera 
fourteen,  species  about  fifty;  very  abundant  in  tropical 
America. 

*  Vomerine  teeth  present ;  no  finger  opposed  to  the  others ;  tongue 

nicked  behind ;  toes  full-webbed.  .        .       RANA,  1. 

/.   RANA,  Linnaeus.     FROGS. 

*  Back  with  large  distinct  spots  arranged  in  more  or  less  regular 

rows ;  back  with  two  conspicuous  yellowish  folds. 

1.  R.  halecina,  Kalm.  LEOPARD  FROG.  COMMON 
FROG.  General  color  greenish,  often  bright,  sometimes 
brassy,  with  many  pale-edged  dark  spots  which  lie  in 
two  irregular  rows  on  back;  usually  two  large  spots 


188  BATKACHIANS. 

between  eyes;  legs  barred  above;  belly  pearly  or  yel- 
lowish, each  side  of  back  with  a  well-marked  fold.  N. 
Am.,  the  commonest  species. 

2.  R.  palustris,  Le  Conte.    PICKEREL  FROG.   Brownish 
with  the  spots  square,  in  four  rows;  young  golden  green; 
body  with  two  glandular  folds  on  each  side;  slender.    E. 
U.  S. 

**  Back  with  small  dark  spots  or  none. 

3.  R.  clam  Hans,    Merrem.      GREEN   FROG.      SPRING 
FROG.     Bright  green,  darker  on  the  flanks,  every  where 
spotted   with   blackish;    color  sometimes  rather  brown 
than  green;  white  below;  glandular  folds  conspicuous; 
size  moderate.     U.  S.,  E.  of  the  mountains.     (R.  horico- 
nensiS)  Holbr.     R.  fontinalis^  LeC.) 

4.  R.  catesbiana,  Shaw.      BULL  FROG.     Greenish,  of 
varying  shades,  with  numerous  small,  indistinct  darker 
spots,  head  usually  of  a  very  bright  pale  green ;  glandu- 
lar folds  little  marked;  very  large,  a  foot  or  more  long 
when  adult.     E.  U.  S.,  common;  well  noted  for  its  rich 
bass  notes.     (J?.  pipiens,  Auct.,  not  of  L.) 

5.  R.  temporaria,  (L.)  var.   sylvatica,    (Le  C.)    Gthr. 
WOOD  FROG.     Color  reddish  brown;    a  dark  band  on 
each  side  of  head  through  eye  and  ear;  quite  small.     E. 
U.  S.,  common;    scarcely  aquatic.      (R.  cantabrigeiisis, 
Baird,  the  Cambridge  Frog,  from  E.  Mass.,  N.  and  W. 
is  another  variety  of  this  European  species.) 

FAMILY  LXXVIIL—  SCAPHIOPID^E. 

(The  Spade  Foots.) 

Terrestrial  frogs  having  the  heel  provided  with  a  more 

or  less  developed  spur.     Genera  three;   species  ten  or 

more.     In  Europe,  America,  and  Australia. 

*  Toes  completely  webbed ;    forehead  and  crown  bony,  rough ; 

skin  slightly  tuberculate.         ;         .        .        SCAPHIOPUS,  1. 


HYLIDJE. — LXXIX.  189 

/.  SCAPHIOPUS,  Holbrook.     SPADE  FOOTS. 

1.    S.   holbrookii,   (Harlan)    Baird.      SOLITARY    SPADE 

FOOT.     Heel  with  a  sharp -edged  spur;  olive  brown,  a 

pale  yellow  streak  on  each  side.      E.   U.   S.,  not  very 

common;  burrows  in  the  ground.    (S.  solitarius,  Holbr.) 

FAMILY  LXXIX.  — HYLIDJE. 

(The  Tree  Frogs) 

Arboreal  frogs  of  small  size,  having  the  fingers  and 
toes  more  or  less  dilated  into  disks  at  their  tips;  ear  well 
developed.  Genera  ten;  species  sixty;  found  in  most 
parts  of  the  world;  noted  for  their  shrill  voices. 

*  Disks  round,  conspicuous ;    fingers  somewhat  webbed ;    skin 

roughened HYLA,  1. 

**  Disks  small ;  fingers  not  webbed, 
f  Toes  webbed  only  at  base  or  not  at  all ;  tympanum  distinct. 

CHOROPHILUS,  2. 
ff  Toes  broadly  webbed ;  tympanum  indistinct.      .      ACRIS,  3. 

/.  HYLA,  Laurenti.     TREE  FROGS. 

1.  H.    versicolor,   LeConte.      COMMON  TREE    TOAD. 
Green,  gray  or  brown,  with  irregular  dark  spots;  below 
yellow  or  white;  fingers  one -third  webbed;  exceedingly 
variable.     E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant. 

2.  H.  pickeringii,  Holbrook.     PICKERING'S  TREE  TOAD. 
Yellowish  brown  with  dusky  rhomboidal  spots  and  lines 
sometimes  arranged  in  the  form  of  a  cross.     E.  U.  S. 

3.  H.    andersonii,    Baird.      ANDERSON'S  TREE  TOAD. 
Deep  pea-green;    sides  with  irregular  yellow  spots;    a 
purplish  band  on  sides  of  head.     N.  J.  to  S.  C.,  rare 

2.  CHOROPHILUS,  Baird.     LITTLE  TREE  FROGS. 
1.  C.  triseriatus,  (Wied.)  Baird.    TREE  FROG.  E.  U.  S. 


190  BATBACHIANS. 

3.  ACRIS,  Dumeril  and  Bibron.     CRICKET  FROGS. 

1.  A.  gryllus,  (Le  C.)  var.  crepitans,  (Baird)  Cope. 
CRICKET  FROG.  Brownish  above;  middle  of  back  and 
head  bright  green;  a  dark  triangle  between  the  eyes; 
sides  with  three  oblique  blotches;  a  white  line  from  eye 
to  ear.  E.  U.  S.  (the  typical  gryllus  southward.) 

FAMILY  LXXX.  — BUFONID^E. 

(Tlie  Toads.} 

Maxillaries  toothless;  toes  webbed,  not  dilated  at  their 
tips;  ear  well  developed;  skin  usually  warty.  Genera 
three,  species  thirty;  in  every  part  of  the  world  except 
Australia.  Most  of  them  belong  to  the  familiar  genus, 
Bufo. 

1.  BUFO,   Laurenti.     TOADS. 

1.  B.  lentiginosus,  Shaw.  AMERICAN  TOAD.  Brown- 
ish olive  with  a  yellowish  vertebral  line  and  some 
brownish  spots;  adults  very  warty;  young  nearly  smooth. 
U.  S.,  very  common,  variable;  the  northern  form  is  var. 
americanus  (Le  C.)  Cope. 


OEDEE  X.-TJEODELA, 

(The  Salamanders?) 

Body  naked,  elongated,  subcylindrical ;  four  limbs 
developed;  tail  persistent,  usually  much  longer  than 
broad,  terete  or  compressed;  no  external  branchiae  when 
adult. 

FAMILY   LXXXL  — PLEURODELIDJE. 

(The  Newts.) 

Vertebrae  concave  behind  only  (opisthoccelian) ;  carpus 
and  tarsus  ossified.  I  am  unable  to  characterize  this 
family  further. 


DESMOGNATHLD.E. — LXXXII.  191 

*  Tongue  small,  thick,  oval,  attached  by  nearly  its  whole  inferior 
surface ;  toes  4-5,  outer  and  interior  on  hind  foot  rudimentary; 
our  species  spotted.  ....  DIEMYCTYLUS,  1. 

/.  DIEMYCTYLUS,  Rafmesque.     SPOTTED  NEWTS. 
>  N~otophthalmus,  Raf. 

1.  D.    viridescens,   Raf.      SPOTTED  TRITON.      NEWT. 
EVET.      EFT.      Above   olive  green  of   varying  shades; 
lemon  yellow  below;  each   side  with  a  row  .of  several 
rather  large  vermillion  spots,  each  surrounded  by  a  black 
ring;    back  with  a  pale   streak;    belly,  etc.,  with  small 
black  dots.   E.  U.  S.,  abundant  E.  of  the  Alleganies;  in 
ponds  and  brooks. 

2.  D.  miniatus,   Raf.     RED  EFT.     RED  EVET.     Color 
vermillion  red  of  varying  shade,  paler  or  yellowish  below; 
markings  precisely  as  in  the  foregoing;  same  range,  but 
found  away  from  water,  under  stones,  etc.;  comes  out 
after  rain.     Perhaps  a  variety  or  state  of  the  preceding, 
at  least  Prof.  Cope  so  considers  it. 

FAMILY  LXXXIL  —  DESMOGNATHID^E. 

(The  DesmognatJis.) 

Vertebrae  opisthocoelian;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilagin- 
ous; no  crests  or  other  dermal  appendages  developed  at 
the  breeding  season.  Genus  one;  species  three;  all  of 
the  Eastern  U.  S.  Tn  external  characters,  this  family  is 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  next,  but  the  skeletal 
distinctions  are  quite  numerous.  They  are,  however,  too 
technical  for  our  present  purpose.  "  The  examination  of 
the  skeleton  of  speoies  of  this  genus  utterly  changes  the 
impressions  produced  by  a  consideration  of  the  external 
characters.  It  may  be  stated  as  characteristic  of  the 
Batrachia  in  general,  that  their  affinities  can  not  be  deter- 
mined without  study  of  the  skeleton."  Cope.  Proc. 
Phil.  Ac.  Nat.  So.  1869,  113. 


192  BATRACHIANS. 

/.  DESMOGNATHUS,  Baird.     DUSKY  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  D.    ochrophcea,    Cope.      YELLOW     DESMOGNATH. 
Brownish  yellow  with  a  brown  shade  on  each  side;    a 
yellowish  dorsal   band;    back  with    a   few  spots;    belly 
unspotted;    tail  rounded;    $  with  lower   jaw  toothless 
behind;    costal  folds   14;    size   small;    scarcely  aquatic. 
Allegany  Mountains,  N.  Y.,  southward. 

2.  D.    fusca,    (Raf.)    Baird.       DUSKY    SALAMANDER. 
Brown  above,   with   gray  or  purplish   spots   or  shades, 
becoming   blackish   with    age;     marbled    below;    eyes 
prominent;  tail  compressed  and  keeled,  as  long  as  head 
and  body;    costal  folds   14;    larger.     Mass,  to  Ohio  and 
S.;  one  of  the  commonest  species  in  springs  and  brooks; 
remarkable  for  its  activity  and  strength. 

3.  D.    nigra,   (Green)   Baird.      BLACK   SALAMANDER. 
Uniform  black;    tips  of  tail,  jaws,  etc.,  brown;  tail  com- 
pressed and  finned;    costal  folds  12.      Penn.,  S.  in  the 
mountain  springs;  the  largest  Eastern  Salamander. 

FAMILY  LXXXIIL—  PLETHODONTID^E. 

(The  American  Salamanders.) 

Vertebrae  amphicoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilagin- 
ous. Various  other  distinctive  characters  are  given  by 
Prof.  Cope,  but  we  omit  them  here  as  not  available  for 
our  present  purpose.  Genera  eleven;  species  thirty; 
nearly  all  North  American. 

*  The  tongue  attached  by  a  band  running  from  its  central  or 

posterior  pedicel  to  the  anterior  margin ;  preniaxillaries  2 . 
f  Toes  4-4,  small,  ashy  above,  spotted  below. 

HEMroACTYLTUM,   1. 

ft  Toes  4-5 ;  colors  dark ;  spotted  or  banded.      PLETHODON,  2. 
**  Tongue  free  all  around,  attached  by  its  central  pedicel  only; 
toes  4-5,  all  free. 


PLETHODONTID^. — LXXXIII.  19S 

\.  Premaxillaries  united ;  color  yellow  or  red,  spotted  or  striped. 

SPELERPES,  3. 

ft  Premaxillaries  2 ;  color  purplish  gray  or  salmon  color,  un- 
spotted  GYRINOPHILUS,  4. 

/.   HEMIDACTYLIUM,  Tschudi.     FOUR- TOED  SALA- 
MANDERS. 

1.  H.  scutatum,  (Schl.)  Tsch.  FOUR- TOED  SALAMAN- 
DER. Ashy  brown  above;  snout  yellow;  silvery  below, 
with  dots  like  ink  spots;  tail  slender,  nearly  twice  the 
length  of  the  body;  head  blunt.  R.  I.  to  Ills.,  and  S. 
(S.  melanosticta,  Gibbes.) 

2.  PLETHODON,  Tschudi.     PLETHODONTS. 

1.  P.    erythronotus,    (Green)    Baird.      BED -BACKED 
SALAMANDER.      Plumbeous  above,  often  with  a  broad 
red  dorsal  band;  belly  marbled;  body  very  slender;  tail 
cylindric;  inner  toes  rudimentary;  costal  folds  16  to  19. 
E.  U.  S.,  common.     \P.  cinereus^  (Green)  Cope,  variety 
without  red  dorsal  band.] 

2.  P.    glutinosus,  (Green)  Baird.      VISCID    SALAMAN- 
DER.     Black,  usually  with  gray   lateral   blotches   and 
smaller  dorsal  spots;  stout;  tail  rounded;  inner  toes  well 
developed.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  terrestrial,  like  the  pre- 
ceding. 

3.  SPELERPES,  Rafmesque.     CAVE  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  S.  bilineaius,  (Green)  Baird.     Two  -  STRIPED  SALA- 
MANDER.    Yellow  with  a  dark  line  along  each  side  of 
the  back;  belly  unspotted;  tail  not  keeled;  costal  folds 
14;  small.     Maine  to  Wis.  and  S. 

2.  S.  longicaudus,  (Green)  Baird.   CAVE  SALAMANDER. 
Lemon  yellow;   sides  with  many  small  black  spots;    a 
median  dorsal  series;  belly  spotless;    tail  keeled,  very 

9 


194  BATEACHIANS. 

long,  spotted  or  barred  with  black;  costal  folds  13;  large. 
Maine  to  Minn,  and  S.,  abounding  in  the  caves  of  Ky. 
and  Ind. 

3.  S.  ruber,  (Daudin)  Gray.     RED  TRITON.     Vermil- 
ion red,  with  black  or  brown  spots;   head  wide;  costal 
folds  15  or  16;  large;  variable.     Maine  to  Nebraska  and 
S.     (Pseudotriton,  Baird.) 

4.  GYRINOPHILUS,  Cope.     PURPLE  SALAMANDERS. 

1.  G.  porphyriticus,  (Green)  Cope.  PURPLE  SALA- 
MANDER. Uniform  purplish  gray  above;  head  broad; 
tail  rounded  at  base,  not  finned;  large;  aquatic.  Alle- 
gany  Mountains,  N.  E.  and  S.  \Spelerpes  salmonea  (Stor.) 
Gray.]  "The  only  one  of  our  Eastern  Salamanders 
which  attempts  self  defense.  It  snaps  fiercely  but  harm- 
lessly and  throws  its  body  into  contortions  in  terror." 
(Cope.) 

FAMILY  LXXXIV.— AMBLYSTOMID^. 

(The  Amblystomas.) 

Vertebrae  amphicoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  ossified; 
digits  4-5,  without  webbing;  tongue  thick;  size  gener- 
ally large  and  color  dark.  Genus  one,  species  nineteen; 
probably  all  American,  and  very  abundant  in  the  South- 
ern and  Western  parts  of  the  U.  S.  The  larvas  which 
reach  a  large  size,  and  even  breed  before  the  gills  are 
absorbed,  have  long  been  considered  as  forming  a  separ- 
ate genus,  Siredon^  supposed  to  be  allied  to  Necturus. 

1.  AMBLYSTOMA,Tschudi.     BIG  SALAMANDERS. 

*  Folds  of  tongue  radiating  from  behind ;   costal  folds  10  to  12 ; 

fourth  toe  with  4  phalanges. 
f  Costal  grooves  10. 
1.  A.  ialpoideum,  (Holbr.)  Gray.     MOLE  SALAMANDER. 


AMBLYSTOMID^E3. — LXXXIV.  195 

Blackish  brown,  gray-speckled;   tail  short,  compressed, 
2|-  in  length;    head  very  broad;    body  short  and  squat. 
Southern,  N.  to  S.  Ills, 
ff  Costal  grooves  11. 
$  Sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle,  or  none. 

2.  A.  opacum,  (Gravenhorst)  Baird.     OPAQUE   SALA- 
MANDER.   Black  above,  with  bluish  gray  bars;  belly  dark 
blue;  no  dorsal  furrow,  no  enlarged  pores  on  the  head; 
tail  2|-  in  total  length;  body  stout.     Penn.  to  Wis.  and  S. 
A  handsome  species.     (S.  fasciata,  Green.) 

3.  A.  punctatum,  (L.)  Baird.     LARGE  SPOTTED  SALA- 
MANDER.    Black  above  with  a  series  of  round  yellow 
spots  on  each  side  of  the  back;  body  broad,  depressed 
and  swollen;  skin  punctate  with  small  pores,  from  which 
exudes  a  milky  fluid  (Cope)\    two  or  three  clusters  of 
enlarged  pores  on  head;  a  strong  dorsal  groove;  tail  2^ 
in  length;    large.     U.  S.,  E.  of   the  Rocky  Mountains. 
(A.  venenosa  and  submolacea,  Auct.) 

4.  A.  conspersum,  Cope.      SMALLER   SPOTTED  SALA- 
MANDER.    Lead  colored,  with  one  or  two  series  of  small 
yellow  spots  along  sides;  no  dorsal  groove;  skin  smooth; 
tail  2£  in  length;  small.     Penn.  to  Ga. 

ft  Sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles. 

5.  A.  bicolor,  Hallowell.     TWO-COLORED  SALAMANDER. 
Olive  brown,  yellowish  below,  rising  in  blotches  on  the 
sides;  a  few  large  yellowish  spots  above;  limbs  banded; 
tail  yellow  with  brown  spots.     New  Jersey. 

Iff  Costal  grooves  12. 
a.  Large  species ;  sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles. 

6.  A.  tigrinum,  (Green)  Baird.     TIGER  SALAMANDER. 
Chiefly  brown  with  many  yellow  spots,  about  as  large  as 
the  eye;  body  thick  and  strong;  the  head  comparatively 
long  and  narrow;  tail  shorter  than  head  and  body;  color 


196  BATEACHIANS. 

varying  from  uniform  brown  to  yellow,  but  usually 
spotted.  U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  (A. 
ingens,  Hallowell.) 

7.  A.  xiphias,    Cope.      LONG -TAILED    SALAMANDER. 
Yellow-olive  with  brown  reticulating  bands;  head  small, 
blunt;    tail  very  long,  much  longer  than  the  head  and 
body.     Ohio. 

aa.  Small  species ;  sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle  or  none. 

8.  A.  jeffersonianum,   (Green)   Baird.      JEFFERSON'S 
SALAMANDER.      Olive  brown  or  blackish,  usually  with 
pale  or  bluish  spots,  but  sometimes  uniform  plumbeous. 
Va.  to  Ind.  and  N.,  variable  j  several  varieties  are  recog- 
nized by  Prof.  Cope. 

**  Folds  on  tongue  radiating  from  the  median  longitudinal  furrow ; 
costal  folds  12 ;  size  small. 

9.  A.  microstomum,  Cope.      SMALL  -  MOUTHED   SALA- 
MANDER.    Lead  -  colored,  usually  with  gray  shades  and 
specks;    head  small,  short,  broad;    body  slender;    skin 
very  smooth  and  slippery;  lower  jaw  projecting.     Ohio 
to  Kansas  and  S. 

FAMILY  LXXXV.  — MENOPOMID^E. 

(The  Menopomes.) 

Salamanders  of  large  size,  having  the  form  of  Ambly- 
stoma,  but  with  an  orifice  on  each  side  of  neck  persistent 
during  life;  no  external  gills;  legs  well  developed;  toes 
4-5;  aquatic.  Genus  one;  species  two,  Menopoma 
fuscum,  Holbr.,  of  the  head  waters  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  the  following: 

/.  MENOPOMA,  Harlan.    HELLBENDERS. 
1.   M.    alleghaniense,    Harlan.      HELLBENDER.      BIG 
WATER  LIZARD.     Blackish;  length  1£  to  2  feet.     Mis- 
sissippi Valley  to  N.  C.  and  S 


PROTEID^E. — LXXXVH.  197 

FAMILY  LXXXVL  —  AMPHIUMID^E. 

(The  Congo  Snakes.) 

Salamanders  of  large  size,  having  the  body  elongated 
almost  serpentiform ;  limbs  rudimentary  with  two  or 
three  toes  each ;  a  spiracle  on  each  side  of  neck  as  in  the 
preceding  family;  aquatic.  Genera  two;  the  three-toed 
Murcenopsis  (M.  tridactylus)  and  the  two-toed  Amphi- 
uma.  Species  two,  inhabiting  the  ditches  and  streams 
of  the  warmer  parts  of  the  U.  S. 

/.  AMPHIUMA,  Linnaeus.     Two-ToED  CONGO  SNAKES. 

1.  A.  means,  L.  CONGO  SNAKE.  Dusky;  limbs  very 
small,  each  with  two  toes.  Southern  States,  N.  to  N.  C. 


OEDEE  Y.-PEOTEIDA. 

(The  Proteans.) 

Tailed  Batrachians,  provided  with  bushy  external  gills 
which  are  persistent  during  life;  lungs  more  or  less 
developed  and  functional,  hence  these  animals  are  truly 
amphibious. 

FAMILY  LXXXVIL— PROTEID^. 

(The  Mud  Puppies.) 

Salamanders  of  medium  or  large  size,  provided  with 
bushy  external  gills,  and  having  the  branchial  clefts 
remaining  open  through  life;  teeth  well  developed. 
Genera  two.  Proteus  inhabitating  caves  in  S.  W. 
Austria  (Carniolci),  and  Necturiis  of  the  fresh  waters  of 
the  U.  S.  Proteus  is  blind  and  has  the  toes  3-2. 
Necturus  has  the  eyes  well  developed,  though  small,  and 
the  toes 


198  BATEACHIANS. 

/.  NECTURUS,  Rafinesque.     MUD  PUPPIES. 

=  Menobranchus,  Harlan. 

1.  N.  /atera/is,  (Say.)  Baird.  MENOBRANCHUS.  MUD 
PUPPY  (North).  WATER  DOG  (South).  DOG  FISH. 
Brown,  more  or  less  spotted;  young  with  traces  of  a 
lateral  band;  dusky  below;  gills  large  and  bushy,  bright 
red,  forming  three  tufts  on  each  side;  head  broad,  de- 
pressed; tail  much  compressed.  E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  north- 
ern and  west  of  the  Alleganies,  especially  abundant  in 
the  Great  Lake  Region;  reaches  a  length  of  eight  inches 
to  two  feet.  (M.  maculatus,  hyemalis,  etc.,  of  authors.) 
Another  species.  N.  punctatus^  (Gibbes)  Cope,  occurs  in 
S.C. 

FAMILY  LXXXVIII.  —  SIRENHXE. 
(TU  Sirens.) 

Body  elongated,  eel-like;  external  branchiae  persistent; 
no  posterior  limbs,  not  even  a  vestige  of  pelvis;  head 
flattened;  snout  obtuse;  mouth  narrow,  the  lower  jaw 
with  teeth  all  around,  the  upper  toothless;  eye  very 
small.  (Cuvier.)  Genera  two,  species  two, — Pseudo- 
branchus  striatus,  (LeC.)  of  Georgia,  a  small  species 
with  small  gills,  and  the  following: 

/.  SIREN,  Linnaeus.    SIRENS. 

1.  S.  lacertina,  L.  GREAT  SIREN.  Reaches  a  length 
of  three  feet.  Southern,  N.  to  N.  C.  and  S.  Ills. 


FISHES.  199 


(The  Fishes.) 

A  fish  is  a  cold-blooded  vertebrate,  adapted  for  life  in 
water,  having  the  limbs  developed  as  fins,  the  fingers 
and  toes  being  represented  by  cartilaginous  rays  con- 
nected by  membrane  (in  rare  cases  limbs  rudimentary  or 
wanting);  exoskeleton  usually  developed  as  scales  or 
bony  plates  (skin  rarely  naked);  one  or  more  fins  on  the 
median  line  of  the  body,  composed  of  rays  connected 
by  membrane.  Skull  developed,  containing  a  brain  of 
several  differentiated  ganglia;  a  distinct  lower  jaw. 
Heart  with  an  auricle,  ventricle,  -and  arterial  bulb; 
respiration  by  means  of  branchiae,  which  consist  (typi- 
cally) "of  bony  arches  attached  to  the  hyoid  bone,  to 
which  the  filaments  of  the  gills  are  attached,  generally 
in  a  row  upon  each,  and  having  their  surface  covered 
by  a  tissue  of  innumerable  blood  vessels.  The  water 
taken  in  at  the  mouth  passes  among  the  filaments  of  the 
gills  and  escapes  by  the  gill  openings  towards  the  rear; 
in  its  progress  through  the  filaments  of  the  gills  the 
water  imparts  to  these  the  oxygen  of  the  air  which  it 
contains.  The  blood  is  sent  to  the  gills  by  the  heart, 
which  thus  answers  to  the  right  side  of  the  heart  of 
warm-blooded  animals,  and  from  the  gills  it  is  sent  to  an 
arterial  trunk  lying  along  the  under  side  of  the  vertebral 
column,  which  distributes  the  blood  through  the  body  of 
the  fish  "  (Cuvier) ;  branchiae  free,  gill  openings  a  single 
cleft  on  each  side.  In  most  fishes  there  is  a  membran- 
ous air  bladder  immediately  beneath  the  back -bone, 
answering  homologically  to  the  lungs  of  the  higher 


200  FISHES. 

vertebrates;  in  a  few  Ganoids  the  air  bladder  is  cellular, 
and  more  or  less  functional  and  connected  by  a  glottis 
with  the  oesophagus;  in  most  of  the  soft -rayed  Teleo- 
cephali  there  is  a  slender  duct  connecting  the  air  bladder 
with  the  alimentary  canal ;  in  the  Acanthopteri  and  others 
this  is  wanting.  Reproduction  by  eggs  of  small  size, 
which  are  fertilized  generally  after  exclusion;  a  few  are 
ovoviviparous. 

As  here  characterized,  the  class  Pisces  includes  the 
Teliosts  and  Ganoids,  of  authors,  and  excludes  the 
Sharks  and  Skates  and  their  allies,  as  well  as  the  Lam- 
preys and  Laricelets,  which  differ  from  the  true  Fishes 
more  than  the  latter  do  from  the  Batrachians. 

The  following  key  includes  not  only  the  families  of 
fresh  water  fishes  described  in  this  work,  but  also  all  of 
the  families  of  Fishes  represented  on  the  Atlantic  Coast 
of  the  U.  S.  The  names  of  those  families  which  are  ex- 
clusively marine  are  printed  in  italics,  and  no  further 
reference  is  made  to  them.  A  student,  therefore,  who 
traces  a  fresh  water  fish  to  any  of  them  will  understand 
that  there  is  an  error  on  his  part  or  mine.  The  key  is, 
of  course,  purely  artificial,  and  does  not,  in  most  cases, 
give  true  family  distinctions,  for  instance: 

With  5  to  9  detached  finlets  behind  dorsal  and  anal ;  dorsals  2 ; 
scales  small  or  none.  .  .  Scombridw,  the  Mackerels. 

does  not  imply  that  all  Scombridce  possess  those  charac- 
ters, nor,  indeed,  that  all  possessing  them  are  Scombridce; 
but  that  all  fishes  in  the  region  here  covered,  which  show 
those  peculiarities,  are  to  be  referred  to  that  family. 

SUB-CLASS  I.  Tail  homocercal  (caudal  fin  rarely  wanting) ;  optic 
nerves  simply  crossing,  without  chiasma ;  arterial  bulb  simple, 
with  two  opposite  valves  at  its  origin ;  air  bladder,  if  present, 
not  cellular ;  exoskeleton  typically  of  scales,  either  ctenoid  or 
cycloid TKLEOSTET,  page  201. 


FISHES.  201 

SUB-CLASS  II.  Tail  lieterocercal ;  optic  nerves  forming  a  chiasma ; 
arterial  bulb  with  several  rows  of  valves ;  air  bladder  fre- 
quently cellular  and  lung-like ;  exoskeleton  typically  of  bony 
plates GANOIDEI,  page  212. 

ORDERS  OF  TELEOSTEI. 

Gills  pectinated — of  the  ordinary  sort,  not  tuft-like. 

I.  Maxillaries  normally  developed  and  normally  distinct  from 
each  other ;  gills  not  in  the  axils ;  typical  fishes  (characters 
too  various  to  be  here  summarized).      .     TELEOCEPHALI,  Z. 

II.  With  4  to  8  long  barbels  about  the  mouth,  the  longest  of 

which  is  a  continuation  of  the  incomplete  maxillary; 
subopercle  wanting;  ventrals  abdominal;  usually  an  adi- 
pose fin  and  dorsal  and  pectoral  spines;  skin  naked  or 
with  bony  plates ;  chiefly  in  fresh  water. 

NEMATOGNATHI,  AA. 

III.  Maxillaries  rudimentary  or  wanting;    scapular  arch  free 
from  skull;    body  elongated,  serpentiform,  with  a  long 
dorsal  and  anal,  which  meet  around  the  tail ;   no  ventral 
fins;    scales  small  or  none;    jaws  with   teeth;    chiefly 
marine APODES,  BB. 

IV.  Carpal  bones  elongated,  forming  a  kind  of  arm  which  sup- 

ports the  pectorals,  in  the  axils  of  which  are  the  small  gill 
openings;  ventrals  jugular,  with  4  or  5  soft  rays;  body 
scaleless  or  tuberculate ;  head  very  large ;  marine. 

PEDICULATI,  page  211. 

V.  Intermaxillaries  immovably  united  with  the  maxillaries ; 

skin  rough,  often  covered  with  spines  or  ganoid  plates ; 

ventral  fins  wanting ;  marine.      PLECTOGNATHI,  page  212. 

**  Gills  small,  tuft-like,  largest  at  their  free  tips ;  body  covered 

with  bony  plates ;  mouth  small,  toothless,  at  the  end  of  the 

long  snout ;  no  ventral  fins ;  marine. 

LOPHOBRANCHII,  page  212. 

Z.    SUB- ORDERS  OF  TELEOCEPHALI. 

I.  Body  flat,  unsymmetrical ;   both  eyes  on  the  upper  or  colored 

side;  ventrals  jugular.      .        .      HETEROSOMATA,  page  208. 

II.  Bones  of  snout  prolonged  into  a  long  tube  which  bears  the 

short  jaws  at  the  end.       .       .       HEMIBRANCHII,  page  209. 


202  FISHES. 

III.  With  two  or  more  free  spines  in  place  of  first  dorsal ;  ventrals 
sub-abdominal,  of  a  stout  spine  and  a  small  ray ;  small  fishes 
scaleless  or  with  bony  plates.     .     HEMIBRANCHII,  page  209. 

IV.  Dorsal  fins  two,  distinct,  small,  the  first  of  4  to  7  spines ;  ven- 

trals abdominal;   teeth  feeble  or  wanting;   scales  cycloid, 
'  silvery .       PERCESOCES,  page  208. 

V.  With  the  first  rays  of  the  dorsal,  or  the  whole  first  dorsal,  of 

simple  —  usually  stiff  spines;  first  ray  of  ventral  usually 
inarticulate  (spinous  dorsal  forming  a  hump  in  Cydopterus ; 
a  lamellated  sucking  disk  in  EcJieneis,  etc.,  wanting  altogether 
in  Aspidoplwroides  and  Gobiesox).  ACANTHOPTERI,  page  203. 

VI.  Fin  rays  soft  and  articulated  (excepting  occasionally  one  or 

two  in  dorsal  or  anal) ;  no  ventral  spines ;  scales  when  pres- 
-ent,  usually  cycloid. 
*  Ventrals  jugular ;  dorsal  and  anal  long,  often  divided. 

ANACANTHINI,  page  208. 
**  Ventrals  abdominal. 

f  Mouth  entirely  toothless ;  abdomen  not  serrated ;  lower 
pharyngeals  falciform,  tooth-bearing;  no  adipose  fin; 
head  naked ;  fresh  water.  .  EVENTOGNATHI,  page  211. 

ff  Body  elongated,  scaly ;  a  series  of  keeled  scales  along  sides 
of  abdomen ;  lower  pharyngeals  united  (as  in  Ldbridm) ; 
no  air  duct ;  no  adipose  fin ;  no  ventral  serratures ;  one 
or  both  jaws  or  else  pectoral  fins  greatly  elongated; 
chiefly  marine.  .  .  SYNENTOGNATHI,  page  209. 

fff  Head  more  or  less  scaly  (naked  in  Ambtyopsis,  the  Cave 
Blind  Fish) ;  both  jaws  fully  provided  with  teeth ;  lower 
jaw  usually  longest;  dorsal  far  back,  nearly  opposite 
anal;  no  adipose  fin,  ventral  serratures,  nor  peculiar 
scales ;  chiefly  fresh  water.  .  HAPLOMI,  page  209. 

ffff  Soft -rayed  fishes  showing  none  of  the  above  combina- 
tions of  characters ;  head  naked ;  adipose  fin  or  abdominal 
serratures  often  present;  dentition  and  habitat  various. 

ISOSPONDYLI,  page  210. 
***  Ventrals  entirely  wanting. 

|  Jaws  with  teeth ;   vent  at  the  throat ;  body  oblong ;  cave 

fishes HAPLOMI,  page  209. 

$  Jaws  toothless;  vent  normal;  body  serpentiform. 

ANACANTHINI,  page  208. 


FISHES.  203 

FAMILIES  OF  ACANTHOPTERL 

1.  With  5  to  9  detached  finlets  behind  dorsal  and  anal ;  dorsals 

two ;  scales  small  or  none.        .       Scorribridce,  the  Mackerels. 

2.  Upper  jaw  prolonged  into  a  "sword  " ;  teeth  feeble  or  wanting; 

scaleless ;  size  large.       .        .      Xiphiidm,  the  Sword-FisJm. 

3.  Tail  ending  in  a  sharp  point;    no  caudal  norventrals;  teeth 

strong.         ....         Trichiuridw,  the  Hair-Tails. 

4.  First  dorsal  on  the  top  of  head,  modified  into  a  lamellated 

sucking  disk.         .         .         .        Echeneidida,  the  Remoras. 

5.  Ventral  fins  completely  united,  sometimes  forming  a  sucking 

disk. 

—  Dorsals  two,  distinct ;  body  scaly  or  not.      .      GOBIIIXE,  96. 

—  Dorsal  single ;  spinous  dorsal  enveloped  in  skin,  forming  a 

hump  in  the  adult ;  scaleless,  tuberculate. 

Cydopteridm,  the  Lump-Suckers. 

—  Dorsal  single ;  body  elongated ;  scaleless ;  small  fishes  often 

parasitic  in  shells  of  Mollusks.  Liparididw,  the  Sea  Snails. 

6.  Ventral  fins  wide  apart,  with  a  sucking  disk  between  them ; 

dorsal  spineless,  on  the  tail.      GobiesocidcB,  the  Pike-Suckers. 

7.  With  a  stout,  sharp  spine  on  each  side  of  tail ;  body  much  com- 

pressed.        ....         Acanthuridce,  the  Surgeons. 

8.  With  several  unconnected  spines  in  place  of  the  first  dorsal. 

—  Tail  with  a  keel  on  each  side.    Carangida,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

—  Anal  fin  preceded  by  two  free  spines ;  body  compressed  and 

elevated.         .         .         .         Garangidce,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

—  Tail  not  keeled;  jaws  toothless;  body  very  long  and  slender. 

Ammodytidm,  the  Sand  Launces. 

—  Tail  without  a  keel ;  jaws  with  teeth. 

Body  long ;  snout  elongated.     JSlacatidce,  the  Crab-Eaters. 
Body  short,  compressed ;  snub-nosed. 

StromateidcB,  the  Harvest  Fishes. 

9.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations.. 

*  With  two  distinct  dorsal  fins  —  rarely  slightly  connected  by 

membrane  at  the  base. 
f  Body  with  developed  scales  or  bony  plates,  large  or  small. 


204  FISHES. 

Small  fresh  water  fishes  (1  to  6  inches  long) ;  elongated 
or  fusiform,  often  brightly  colored;  the  fins  —  espe- 
cially the  pectorals— well  developed ;  anal  spines  one  or 
two ;  air  bladder  rudimentary.  ETHEOSTOMID,<E,  89. 

2.  Pectoral  fins  very  long,  reaching  at  least  to  anal,  with  3 

detached  appendages  or  else  several  connected,  forming 
an  additional  fin  •  cheeks  mailed ;  head  bony. 

Triglidce,  the  Gurnards. 

3.  With  7  or  8  filiform  appendages  on  each  side  below  the 

pectorals ;  cheeks  not  mailed. 

Polynemidw,  the  Thread-Fishes. 

4.  Throat  with  two  long  barbels.     MullidcB,  the  Surmullets. 

5.  Dorsal  spines  only  two;  scales  minute,  imbedded  in  the 

skin.         .         .         .        Rhypticidw,  the  Soap  Fishes. 

6.  Ventrals  abdominal ;    body  elongated ;    scales  cycloid ; 

teeth  stout.        .        .        Sphyranidce,  the  Barracudas. 

7.  With  none  of  the  above  combinations ;  ventrals  mostly 

thoracic. 
a.  Some  or  all  of  opercular  bones,  more  or  less  serrated 

or  spinous. 
&.  With  teeth  on  the  vomer. 

c.  First  dorsal  low  and  weak  of  8  spines ;  scales  small ; 

one  or  more  minute  spines  in  front  of  anal ; 

teeth  strong.    .     Pomatomidce,  the  Blue  Fishes. 

cc.  Dorsal  spines  stout ;  scales  ctenoid ;  no  free  anal 

spines. 

d.  Ventrals  1-5 ;  branchiostegals  usually  7. 
e.  Cleft  of  mouth  horizontal  or  oblique ;  scales 
firm. 

—  Anal  spines  2,  sometimes  obscure. 

PERCID^:,  90. 

—  Anal  spines  3,  distinct.    .    LABRACHXE,  91. 
ee.  Cleft  of  mouth  nearly  vertical ;  scales  large, 

deciduous.         Chilodipterida?,  the  Apogons. 

dd.  Ventrals  1-7 ;  branchiostegals  8 ;  anal  spines  4. 

Berycidce,  the  Berycoids, 


FISHES.  205 

bb.  No  teeth  on  the  vomer ;    anal  spines  1  or  2 ;    lateral 
line  usually  running  up  on  the  caudal  fin. 

SCI^ENIDJE,  94. 

aa.  Edges  of  opercular  bones  entire. 
/.  Scales  well  developed,  not  enlarged  along  lateral  line ; 
chin  often  with  barbels ;  no  free  spines. 

Scicenidw,  the  Maigres. 
ff.  Scales  minute ;  no  barbels. 

g.  Body  more  or  less  compressed  and  elevated ;  scales 

sometimes  enlarged  along  lateral  line ;  usually 

2  free  anal  spines.   Carangidce,  the  Pilot  Fishes. 

gg.  Body  long  and  low ;    no  free  spines  nor  lateral 

shields Gobiida,  the  Gobies. 

ft  Body  entirely  scaleless. 
h.  Body  more  or  less  depressed ;  eyes  high  up  on  the  broad 

head ;  caudal  usually  rounded. 

*.  Dorsal  with  4  spines;    ventrals  jugular  1,5;    mouth 
vertical.        .        .        Uranoscopidce,  the  Star  Gazers, 
u.  Dorsal  with  3  spines;   ventrals  jugular  I,  2;  mouth 
broad,  with  conical  teeth. 

Batrachidce,  the  Toad  Fishes. 

Hi.  Dorsal  spines  6  or  more ;  ventrals  thoracic ;  cheeks 
mailed  (i.  e.,  the  sub -orbital  bone  extending  back- 
ward over  the  cheek,  articulating  with  the  pre- 
opercle). 

—  Spinous  dorsal  shortest,  its  middle  rays  highest ; 

head  without  barbels.         .         .         COTTUME,  95. 

—  Spinous  dorsal  longest,  notched,  its  first  rays  highest ; 

head  with  many  fleshy  slips. 

HemitripteridcBj  the  Sea  Ravens. 

hh.  Body  greatly  compressed ;  the  eyes  lateral  or  anterior ; 
fins  often  filamentous ;  tail  usually  slender,  the  caudal 
fin  widely  forked. 

.;".  A  series  of  bony  shields  along  base  of  second  dorsal. 

Zenidce,  the  John  Dories, 
jj.  No  bony  shields ;  usually  two  free  anal  spines. 

Carangidw,  the  Pilot  Fishes 


206  PISHES. 

**  Dorsal  fin  single,  not  divided  to  its  base. 
k.  Fresh  water  species. 

I.  Ventrals  I,  5;  dorsal  spines  8  to  12;  vent  normal. 

m.  Teeth  on  vomer ;  anal  spines  3  to  9.    ICHTHELID^E,  92. 

mm.  No  teeth  on  vomer ;  anal  with  2  (or  1)  spines,  the 

second  very  strong.        .       .        .        SCMENID^,  94. 

II.  Ventrals  7-rayed;  dorsal  spines  3;  vent  jugular. 

APHREDODERnXE,  93. 

Kk.  Marine  species. 

1.  Cheeks  mailed  (as  in  Cottidce,  etc.) 

n.  Body  covered  with  bony,  keeled  plates ;  no  dorsal 
spines.  .  .  .  Agonidce,  the  Sea  Poachers. 

nn.  Body  with  ordinary  scales ;  spinous  dorsal  many- 
rayed.  .  .  Scorpcenidce,  the  Sea  Scorpions. 

2.  With  broad,  cutting,  incisor -like  front  teeth,  or  with 

crushing,  molar-like  lateral  teeth  or  both ;  scales  rather 
large ;  usually  a  recumbent  free  spine  in  front  of  the 
dorsal  fin. 
o.  Opercular  bones  entire ;  vertical  fins  not  much  scaly. 

SparidcB)  the  Sea  Breams. 

oo.  Preopercle  denticulated ;  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins 
densely  scaly.  .  Pimelepterid®,  the  Fat-Fins. 

3.  Body  much  compressed  and  elevated ;  the  soft  rays  of  the 

vertical  fins  covered  high  up  with  ctenoid  scales ;  teeth 
villiform ;  body  often  dark-banded. 
p.  Dorsal  with  less  than  10  spines,  separated  by  a  notch 
from  the  soft  part;  spinous  dorsal  scaleless. 

Epliippidm,  the  Moon  FisJm. 

pp.  Dorsal  undivided,  with  10  or  more  spines,  scaly 
throughout;  fins  often  filamentous. 

ChcetodontidcB,  the  Chcetodonts. 

4.  Ventrals  wanting ;    scales   minute ;    body   high,  much 

compressed.        .        Stromateidce,  the  Harvest  Fishes. 

5.  Ventrals  jugular,  few-rayed  or  wanting;  body  long  and 

low ;  dorsal  fin  very  long,  occupying  most  of  the  back, 
at  least  half  of  it  and  sometimes  all  composed  of  flexible 
spines ;  scales  small  or  none ;  usually  an  anal  papilla. 


FISHES.  207 

#.  Ventrals  present. 
r.  Dorsal  with  both  spines  and  soft  rays. 

Blenniidce,  the  Blennies. 
rr.  Dorsal  composed  of  spines  only. 
s.  Lateral  line  usually  present  and  sometimes  dupli- 
cated; head  conic;  compressed;   pyloric  coeca 
present.        .        StichcBidce,  the  Snake  Blennies. 
88.  No  lateral  line ;   ventrals  I,  1 ;  no  pyloric  coeca ; 
teeth,  small,  acute.  Xiphidiontidce,  the  Gunnels, 
qq.  No  ventral  fins. 

t.  Gill  openings  wide ;    scales  rudimentary ;    cleft  of 
mouth  not  vertical ;  teeth  strong. 

Anarrhichadidce,  the  Wolf  Fishes. 
ft.  Gill  openings  moderate ;   no  scales ;  cleft  of  mouth 
nearly  vertical ;  dorsal  of  spines  only ;  body  almost 
eel-like.        .       Cryptacanthidce,  the  Glwst  Fishes. 
6.  With  none  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
u.  Ventrals  jugular,  4-rayed ;  dorsal  very  high  and  long. 
Bramidce,  the  Winged  Dolphins, 
uu.  Ventrals  thoracic,.  I,  5. 

v.  Dorsal  of  50  or  more  rays  running  from  head  to  tail ; 
the  spinous  part  not  differentiated. 

Coryphcenidw,  the  Dolphins, 
m.  Dorsal  shorter,  the  two  sorts  of  rays  different. 
w.  Lateral  line  interrupted. 

x.  Scales  ctenoid ;   dorsal  spines  13 ;   depth  more 
than  half  length. 

Pomacentridce,  the  Demoiselles. 

xx.  Scales  cycloid ;  dorsal  spines  9 ;  depth  less  than 

half  length.     .     Ldbrida,  the  Wrasse  Fishes. 

ww.  Lateral  line  continuous. 

y.  Opercle  or  preopercle  or  both  distinctly  serrated. 

z.  Spinous  dorsal  longer  than  the  soft  part,  of  18 
spines  which  are  tipped  with  little  mem- 
branous appendages ;  scales  cycloid. 

Ldbridce,  the  Wrasse  Fislies. 


208  FISHES. 

zz.  Dorsal  spines  8,  very  low,  nearly  equal  and 
scarcely  connected ;  snout  blunt. 

Stromateidce,  the  Harvest  Fishes, 
zzz.  With  neither  of  the  preceding  combinations. 
a.  No  teeth  on  vomer. 

Pristipomatidw,  the  Red  Mouths. 
aa.  Teeth  on  vomer. 
6.  Canines  present ;  branchiostegals  7. 

Serranidm,  the  Sea  Bass, 
bb.  No    canines ;    branchiostegals  6 ;    eyes 
large.    .    Priacanthidm,  the  Big  Eyes. 
yy.  Opercular  bones  with  entire  edges. 
c.  Dorsal  with  nine  to  20  spines ;  anal  III,  8  or 
more ;  lips  large,  fleshy. 

Labridcu,  the  Wrasse  Fishes, 
cc.  Dorsal  with  9  spines ;  anal  III,  7. 

GerridcB,  the  Gerroids. 

FAMILIES  OF  ANACANTHINI. 

*  Ventrals  jugular,  sometimes  rudimentary. 

f  Caudal  fin  developed  as  a  separate  fin ;  lateral  line  continuous. 

GADIDJE,  97. 
ft  Caudal  fin  not  separate,  dorsal  and  anal  confluent  around  the 

tail. 

\  Ventral  fins  developed,  4-rayed.       Lycodida,  the  Eel  Pouts. 
ft  Ventral  fins  replaced  by  a  pair  of  bifid  filaments. 

Ophidiida,  the  Cusk  Eels. 
**  Ventral  fins  entirely  wanting. 

a.  Vent  remote  from  the  head.    Ammodytidce,  the  Sand  Launces. 
aa.  Vent  at  the  throat ;  size  small.    Fierasferidw,  the  Fierasfers. 
FAMILIES  OF  HETEROSOMATA. 

*  Pectoral  fins  well  developed.     .    Pleuronectidm,  the  Flounders. 
**  Pectoral  fins  wanting  or  rudimentary.      .      Soleidce,  the  Soles. 

FAMILIES  OF  PERCESOCES. 

*  First  dorsal  with  5  to  7  flexible  spines ;   body  elongated ;   sides 

with  a  distinct  silvery  band.        .        .        ATHERINID.E,  99. 


FISHES.  209 

**  First  dorsal  with  4  stiff  spines;  body  compressed;  no  lateral 
band Mugilidce,  the  Mullets. 

FAMILIES  OF  HEMIBRANCHII. 

*  Bones  of  head  moderately  produced ;    ventral  fins  of  a  stout 

spine  and  a  rudimentary  ray ;  dorsal  preceded  by  free  spines ; 

scaleless,  naked  or  with   bony  plates;    an  oblong,  silvery, 

*    naked  area  in  front  of  pectorals.      .       GASTEROSTEID^E,  98. 

**  Bones  of  head  much  produced,  forming  a  long  tube  which 

bears  the  short  jaws  at  the  end;  ventral  fins  without  spine. 
f  Body  compressed ;  no  teeth ;   scales  small ;  dorsal  fins  two ; 
first  with  spines.        .        .     Centriscidce,  the  Snipe  Fishes. 
ft  Body  greatly  elongated ;  teeth  present ;  no  scales ;  no  dorsal 
spines;  middle  rays  of  caudal  produced  into  a  long  fila- 
ment.       .        .       .        Fistulariidw,  the  Trumpet  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  SYNENTOGNATHI. 

*  Jaws  one  or  both  elongated  into  a  long  beak. 

f  Both  jaws  elongated;  no  finlets;  size  large.  » 

Belonidce,  the  Gar -Fishes. 

ft  Lower  jaw  only  elongate,  or  else   dorsal  and    anal   with 
detached  finlets,  as  in  the  Mackerels. 

Scomberesocidce,  the  Sauries. 

**  Jaws  moderate ;    pectorals  elongated,  nearly  as  long  as  body, 
used  for  "  flying."        .        .     Exocatidce,  the  Flying  Fislies. 

FAMILIES  OF  HAPLOMI. 

*  Snout  depressed  and  elongated,  its  length  more  than  half  the 

greatest  depth  of  body ;  jaws,  vomer,  palate  and  tongue  armed 
with  strong,  hooked  teeth ;  body  elongated,  sub-terete ;  size 
large ;  in  fresh  water ESOCH^E,  102. 

**  Snout  rounded  and  rather  short,  its  length  being  less  than  half 
the  greatest  depth  of  body ;  teeth  moderate ;  size  small. 

f  Vent  jugular,  in  front  of  pectorals ;  eyes  often  undeveloped ; 
ventrals  small  or  wanting;  cave  fishes.  AMBLYOPSID.E,  103. 

ft  Vent  normal :  eyes  present;  ventrals  well  developed, 
14 


210  FISHES. 

\  Margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  laterally  by  maxillaries ;  lateral 

line  inconspicuous ;  small  dusky  fishes  of  muddy  brooks ; 

usually  a  black  bar  at  base  of  caudal.       UMBKID^B,  101. 
^Entire  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries ; 

head  depressed ;  small  fishes  of  brackish  or  fresh  waters, 

often  barred  or  striped  with  black. 

CYPBENODONTID^E,  100. 

FAMILIES  OF  ISOSPONDYLI. 

*  Body  entirely  scaleless ;  deep  sea  fishes, 
f  No  adipose  fin ;   throat  with  a  long  barbel ;   pectorals  rudi- 
mentary  Stomiatidce,  the  Stomiatoids. 

\\  An  adipose  fin ;  no  barbel ;   belly  with  phosphorescent  spots. 

Scopelidce,  the  Scopelids. 
**  Body  scaly ;  head  naked ;  scales  sometimes  small  and  imbedded, 

sometimes  large  and  deciduous. 
\  An  adipose  dorsal  fin ;  belly  rounded. 
a.  Margin  of  upper  jaws  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone. 
b.  Scales  cycloid ;  deep  sea  fishes. 

Synodontidce,  the  Synodonts. 
Ib.  Scales  ctenoid ;  fresh  water  fishes ;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or 

palate PERCOPSDXE,  104. 

aa.  Lateral  margins  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  maxillaries; 

scales  cycloid ;  in  all  waters.         .         SALMONLD^E,  105. 

\\  No  adipose  dorsal;   lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by 

maxillaries  which  are  usually  composed  of  three  pieces ; 

scales  rather  large. 

c.  Abdomen  compressed  to  an  edge  which  is  serrated ;  lateral 
line  obsolete ;  teeth  very  small  or  wanting ;  in  all  waters. 

CLUPEID.E,  107. 

cc.  Abdomen  compressed  but  not  serrated;  jaws,  vomer  and 
tongue  with  strong  teeth;  scales  large,  silvery;  body 
compressed ;  lateral  line  well  developed ;  fresh  water. 

HYODONTID^E,  106. 

ccc.  Abdomen  rounded ;  teeth  various ;  marine. 
d.  Upper  jaw  longest. 
e.  Lower  jaw  toothless;  sides  with  bright  silvery  band. 

)  the  Anchovies. 


FISHES.  211 

ee.  Both  jaws  with  bands  of  villiform  teeth ;  roof  and  floor 
of  mouth  with  coarse  patches. 

AlbuUdcB,  the  Lady  Fishes. 
dd.  Lower  jaw  longest. 

/.  No  gular  plates ;  no  lateral  line ;  anal  short. 

Dussumieridce,  the  Round  Herrings. 

ff.  A  narrow  bony  plate  between  branches  of  lower  jaw 

(much  as  in  Amia).       .       Elopidw,  the  Jew  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  EVENTOGNATHI. 

*  Pharyngeal  teeth  in  small  number  (not  more  than  7)  and  com- 

paratively large ;  dorsal  with  7  to  12  rays  (in  American  spe- 
cies) ;  mouth  moderately  or  not  protractile ;  lips  scarcely  or 
not  enlarged ;  species  mostly  of  small  size  (2  to  15  inches) 

Dace  and  Minnows CYPKINID^E,  108. 

**  Pharyngeal  teeth  very  numerous,  small ;  mouth  very  protrac- 
tile, roundish  when  protruded,  with  enlarged,  fleshy  lips ; 
dorsal  with  1 1  to  40  rays ;  species  often  of  large  size.  Suckers. 

CATOSTOMID^:,  109. 

AA.    FAMILIES  OF  NEMATOGNATHI. 

*  Margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  only;  maxil- 

lary rudimentary,  forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel. 

SILUBID^E,  110. 
BB.    FAMILIES  OF  APODES. 

*  Gape  moderate ;  stomach  ordinary ;  gill  openings  narrow. 

f  Scales  rudimentary ;  dorsal  beginning  at  a  considerable  dis- 
tance behind  head ;  fishes  of  shores  or  fresh  waters. 

ANGUILLID^E,  111. 

ff  Scaleless ;  dorsal  beginning  close  behind  base  of  pectorals ; 
deep  sea  fishes.      .        .        .      Congridm,  the  Conger  Eels. 
**  Gape  of  mouth  enormously  wide,  leading  to  an  excessively 
distensible  stomach ;   tail  band  -  like,  tapering  to  a  fine  fila- 
ment.        ....        Saccopharyngidce,  the  Oulpers. 

FAMILIES  OF  PEDICULATI. 

*  Head  very  broad ;   depressed. 

f  Skin  smooth,  slimy;  teeth  strong,  card -like;  dorsal  VI — 8, 
or  more;  the  first  three  spines  isolated,  tentacle-like,  on 
the  head,  .  .  .  Lophiidw,  the  Fishing  Frogs. 


212  FISHES. 

ft  Skin  with  conical  tubercles;  teeth  villiform;  dorsal  I — 4; 
the  spine  tentacle -like,  retractile  into  a  cavity  beneath  a 
prominent  protuberance  on  forehead. 

MaltheidcB,  the  Sea  Bats. 
**  Head  high,  compressed ;  teeth  card-like. 

Antennariidce,  the  Diablos. 

FAMILIES  OF  PLECTOGNATHI. 

*  Jaws  modified  into  a  sort  of  beak,  without  distinct  teeth. 

f  Both  jaws  divided  by  a  median  suture  (teeth  fused  into  two 
in  each  jaw);  belly  greatly  inflatable. 

Tetrodontidm,  the  Puffers. 

f  f  Jaws  without  median  suture ;  belly  scarcely  or  not  inflatable. 
\  Body  scarcely  compressed,  spinous,  with  a  distinct  caudal 

fin Diodontidce,  the  Box  Fishes. 

\$  Body  much  compressed,  very  short,  truncate ;  the  vertical 
fins  more  or  less  confluent. 

Orthagoriscidm,  the  Globe  Fishes. 
**  Jaws  with  distinct  teeth. 
a.  Front  teeth  incisor-like ;  1  to  3  dorsal  spines ;  no  carapace. 

Balistidce,  the  File  Fishes. 

aa.  Teeth  slender ;  no  dorsal  spines ;  body  enveloped  in  a  box- 
like  carapace,  formed  of  hexagonal  bony  plates;  snout, 
bases  of  fins  and  tail  free,  covered  with  skin. 

Ostraciontidm,  the  Trunk  Fishes. 

FAMILIES  OF  LOPHOBRANCHII. 

*  Tail  prehensile,  without  caudal  fin ;  body  abruptly  contracted 

at  base  of  tail ;  head  crested,  out  of  line  of  axis  of  body. 

Hippocampida,  the  Sea  Horses. 

**  Tail  not  prehensile,  with  a  developed  caudal ;  body  gradually 
tapering;  direction  of  head  in  a  line  with  axis  of  body. 

SyngnathidcB,  the  Pipe  Fishes. 

ORDERS  OF  GANOIDEI. 

*  Skeleton  bony;    body  scaly;    air   bladder  cellular,  lunglike 

(HYOGANOIDEI). 
f  Scales  cycloid ;  snout  short,  broad.     .      CYCLOGANOIDEI,  CC, 


FISHES.  213 

\ f  Scales   ganoid,    diamond-shaped,  enamelled   plates ;    snout 

lengthened,  depressed.        .        .      RHOMBOGANOIDEI,  DD. 

**  Skeleton  chiefly  cartilaginous ;  body  naked  or  with  3  to  5  rows 

of  bony  bucklers ;  vertical  fins  with  fulcra.    (CHOKDROGAN- 

OIDEI.) 

J  Mouth  terminal,  broad ;    lower  jaw,  maxillaries  and  palate 

with  many  minute,  deciduous  teeth.     SELACHOSTOMI,  EE. 

ft  Mouth  narrow,  inferior,  toothless.       .       CHONDROSTEI,  FF. 

CC.    FAMILIES  OF  CYCLOGANOIDEI. 

*  A  broad  bony  plate  between  branches  of  lower  jaw;   vertical 

fins  without  fulcra;   dorsal  fin  very  long  of  more  than  40 
rays ;  body  stout AMIIIX<E,  112. 

DD.    FAMILIES  OF  RHOMBOGANOIDEI. 

*  Vertical  fins  with  fulcra ;   dorsal  short,  far  back,  of  less  than  12 

rays ;  body  elongated.        .        .        .        LEPIDOSTEIDJS,  113. 

EE.    FAMILIES  OF  SELACHOSTOMI. 

*  Skin  naked ;   snout  produced  into  a  flat  blade ;   opercle  with  a 

long  flap POLYODONTIIXE,  114. 

FF.    FAMILIES  OF  CHONDROSTEI. 

*  Body  with  5  rows  of  bony  shields  (rarely  deciduous) ;    snout 

produced ;  four  barbels  in  front  of  mouth. 

AdPENSERUXE,  115. 


214  FISHES. 


j5ut)  z  otiasg. — STelensteu 

(The  Bony  Fishes.) 

Skeleton  more  or  less  ossified;  tail  homocercal;  optic 
nerves  simply  crossing,  without  chiasma;  arterial  bulb 
simple,  with  two  opposite  valves  at  its  origin;  air 
bladder,  if  present,  not  lung  -  like ;  body  usually  scaly, 
sometimes  covered  with  naked  skin  or  bony  plates; 
membrane  bones  (opercles,  etc.)  developed  in  relation  to 
the  skull.  This  group  comprises  the  great  majority  of' 
recent  fishes. 


OEDEE  Z.-TELEOGEPHALI. 

(The  Typical  FisJies) 

This  order  again  comprises  the  vast  majority  of  recent 
fishes,  and  is  characterized  rather  negatively,  as  wanting 
the  peculiarities  of  the  other  orders  than  as  having  any 
positive  distinctions  of  its  own.  The  maxillaries  are 
normally  developed  and  distinct  from  each  other,  never 
forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel.  The  gills  are  pecti- 
nated and  of  the  ordinary  pattern,  and  the  gill-openings 
are  in  front  of  the  pectorals  and  never  very  narrow;  the 
subopercle  is  present.  The  scales  are  (when  present) 
very  rarely  ossified,  and  are  generally  either  ctenoid  or 
cycloid.  This  group  includes  the  Acanthopterygians 
and  Malacopterygians  of  Cuvier,  and  the  nearly  cor- 
responding Ctenoidei  and  Cycloidei,  Physoclysti  ami 


ETHEOSTOMTD^. — LXXXIX.  215 

Physostomi  of  later  writers;  but  however  different  the 
extremes  of  each  (as  Percoids  and  Cyprinoids)  may  be, 
the  intervening  forms  are  too  closely  related  to  render 
it  possible  to  characterize  them  as  distinct  orders. 


SUB-OEDER-ACAISTTHOPTEEI. 

( The  Spiny-rayed  'Fishes.) 

FAMILY  LXXXIX.  — ETHEOSTOMID^E. 

(The  Darters.) 

Fresh  water  fishes  of  small  size,  closely  related  to  the 
Percidce,  but  so  peculiar  in  many  respects  that  it  seems 
preferable  to  consider  them  as  forming  a  distinct  family. 
Dorsal  fins  two,  generally  connected  by  membrane  at  the 
base,  the  second  and  often  both  dorsals  high  and  large ; 
anal  usually  well  developed,  with  one  or  two  spines; 
pectorals  (except  in  one  or  two  species)  very  large  and 
broad,  often  reaching  beyond  base  of  anal;  caudal  large, 
rounded  or  slightly  forked;  scales  ctenoid,  sometimes 
absent  on  neck  or  belly,  or  both;  head  usually  more  or 
less  scaly;  teeth  well  developed  on  jaws  and  usually 
on  vomer;  eyes  large;  air  bladder  rudimentary;  "sub- 
orbital  arch  incomplete."  Colors  often  very  bright; 
species  of  Pcecilichthys  and  Diplesium  being  the  most 
brilliantly  colored  fresh  water  fishes  known ;  sexual  differ- 
ences usually  recognizable,  the  females  being  as  a  rule 
duller  in  color  and  more  speckled  or  barred.  In  most 
species  there  is  a  dark  streak  from  eye  to  snout,  and 
often  a  dark  vertical  bar  below  the  eye.  Genera  ten,  or 
fewer;  species  about  thirty,  all  belonging  to  the  U.  S. 
and  Mexico,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  being  most 
abundant  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  where  sometimes  all 
the  genera  may  be  found  in  the  same  stream. 


216    '  FISHES. 

Most  of  them  prefer  clear  running  water,  where  they 
lie  on  the  bottom  concealed  under  stones,  darting  when 
frightened  or  hungry  with  great  velocity  for  a  short 
distance  by  a  powerful  movement  of  the  fan -shaped 
pectorals,  then  stopping  as  suddenly.  They  rarely  use 
the  caudal  fin  in  swimming,  and  they  are  never  seen 
moving  or  floating  freely  in  the  water  like  most  fishes. 
When  at  rest  they  support  themselves  on  their  extended 
ventrals  and  anal.  Pleurolepis,  unlike  the  others,  pre- 
fers a  sandy  bottom,  where,  by  an  almost  instantaneous 
plunge,  it  buries  itself  in  the  sand  and  remains  quiescent 
for  hours  at  a  time,  with  only  its  eyes  and  snout  visible. 
All  are  carnivorous,  and,  in  their  way,  voracious.  All 
are  of  small  size,  the  largest  (Percina)  reaches  a  length 
of  about  eight  inches,  while  the  smallest  (Microperca), 
which  is  the  smallest  spiny -rayed  fish  known,  barely 
attains  a  length  of  an  inch  and  a  half. 

*  Lateral  line  incomplete  or  wanting ;   body  normally  more  or 
less  compressed;  jaws  nearly  even,  lower  jaw  sometimes 
projecting.    (PCECILICHTHYIN^E.) 
f  No  lateral  line ;  dorsal  spines  6  or  7 ;  fins  barred. 

MICROPERCA,  1. 

ff  Lateral  line  present  on  anterior  part  of  body. 
a.  Dorsal  fins  slightly  connected  at  base. 
b.  Spinous  dorsal  very  low,  scarcely  more   than   half  as 
high  as  soft  part,  commonly  of  8  spines;  spines  in 
adult  (male)  ending  in  little  fleshy  knobs,  in  others 
pointed ;  color  plain  or  with  black  bare  and  lines  of 
dots;  a  black  shoulder  spot;    fins  with  black   lines, 
but  no  red  or  blue  shades.        .        .       CATONOTUS,  2. 
66.  Spinous  dorsal  not  low,  nearly  as  high  as  the  soft  part ; 
dorsal  spines  10  to  12 ;  colors  brilliant ;  fins  (in  males 
at  least)  with  bright  shades  of  red  and  blue. 
c.  Throat  and  breast  deep  blue ;  dark  dots  along  the  rows 
of  scales;   a  dark  shoulder  spot;   sides  often  with 
red  dots,  but  not  notably  barred.       NOTHONOTUS,  3. 


ETHEOSTOMID^E. — LXXXIX.  217 

cc.  Throat  and  breast  orange ;  coloration  chiefly  in  verti- 
cal bars  rarely  in  lines  or  spots;  no  shoulder  blotch. 

PCECILICHTHYS,  4. 

aa.  Dorsal  fins  entirely  separate ;  dorsal  spines  8  to  10 ;  lateral 
line  curved  upward  over  pectorals ;  small,  slender  spe- 
cies, often  with  red  spots  along  the  sides. 

BOLEICHTHYS  5. 

**  Lateral  line  present,  obvious  throughout  its  course ;  body 
normally  more  or  less  cylindrical ;  upper  jaw  more  or  less 
projecting  beyond  the  lower. 

$  Scales  obvious  only  ajong  lateral  line,  ventral  region  entirely 
naked;  body  much  elongated,  translucent;  dorsal  spines 

10.      (PLEUROLEPIN.E.)  .  .  .  PLEUROLEPIS,  6. 

fy  Body  scaly  throughout,  or  naked  only  on  throat  or  neck. 

(ETHEOSTOMIN^E.) 
d.  Mouth  scarcely  inferior;  lower  jaw  but  little  shorter  than 

upper ;  vomer  with  teeth. 

e.  Anal   spine   single,    sometimes   obscure; -mouth  small, 

horizontal;    soft  dorsal   usually  larger   than  anal  or 

than  spinous  dorsal;  the  latter  of  9  (rarely  10)  spines; 

back  tessellated.        .        .        .        .        BOLEOSOMA,  7. 

ee  Anal  with  two  distinct  spines. 

/.  Mouth  large ;  soft  dorsal  not  much  larger  than  anal  or 
than  spinous  dorsal,  the  latter  with  10  to  15  spines; 
sides  usually  with  dark  bars  or  a  chain  of  confluent 
dark  blotches;  no  red  nor  blue  markings,  nor  nar- 
row lines  of  dots. 

g.  Belly  with  a  series  of  enlarged   mucronate   plates 
along  the  middle  line  (sometimes  falling  off,  leav- 
ing a  naked  strip.)         .        .         ETHEOSTOMA,  8. 
gg.  Belly  without  enlarged  plates  at  any  time. 

HYPOHOMUS,  9. 

ff.  Mouth  moderate ;  dorsal  spines  about  12;  body  with- 
out large  bars  or  blotches,  but  each  scale  with  a 
dark  spot,  these  forming  fine  lengthwise  lines; 
throat  with  blue ;  fins  in  $  with  red  and  blue. 

NOTHONOTUS,  3. 

dd.  Mouth  decidedly  inferior,  very  small. 
10 


218  FISHES. 

7i.  Vomer  roughish,  but  without  teeth ;  head  very  short  and 
rounded;  muzzle  blunt;  cheeks  swollen;  soft  dorsal 
larger  than  anal ;  dorsal  spines  10  to  14 ;  sides  with 
green  blotches  or  markings.  .  DIPLESIUM,  10. 

lili.  Vomer  with  teeth ;  head  long,  pointed ;  the  muzzle 
conic,  truncate  at  tip,  projecting  like  a  hog's  snout; 
dorsal  spines  about  13 ;  sides  with  dark  bars,  alternately 
long  and  short ;  a  small  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal. 

PERCINA,  11. 

/.  MICROPERCA,  Putnam.  LEAST  DARTERS. 
1.  M.  punctulata,  Putnam.  LEAST  DARTER.  Greenish 
olive,  sides  with  irregular  dark  bars  and  zigzag  markings; 
dusky  lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  a  dark  shoulder 
blotch;  a  black  streak  forward  from  eye  and  a  vertical 
bar  below  it;  D.  VI  to  VII— 9  to  12;  A.  II,  5  or  6; 
length  1^  inches.  Western  and  Southern  States. 

2.  CATONOTUS,  Agassiz.     LINED  DARTERS. 

1.  C.  flabellatus,  (Raf.)  Putnam.     FAN-TAILED  DART- 
ER.    Olivaceous,  dusky  above ;  sides  with  obscure  dusky- 
bars;  each  scale  with  a  brownish  spot,  these  sometimes 
forming    series  of    longitudinal    lines   but    never    very 
distinct  ones;  head  narrow;  mouth  oblique;  body  rather 
slender;     D.  VIII— 12;    A.   II,    8;    length    2|    inches. 
Great  Lakes  and  streams  from  N.  Y.,  S.  and  W.,  abund- 
ant.    (E.  linsleyi)  H.  R.  Storer.     Oligocephalus  humer- 
alis  and  Catonotus  fasciatus^  Girard.) 

2.  C.  lineolatus,  Agassiz.     STRIPED   DARTER.     Oliva- 
ceous, each  scale  with  a  black  spot,  hence  the  body  with 
a  series  of  fine  dotted  longitudinal  lines  which  are  very 
distinct  above;  some  (??)  further  marked  with  dark  cross 
bars;    D.  VIII— 12;    A.  II,  8.     Great  Lakes  and  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  rather  northward;  body  deeper  and  colors 
much  brighter  than  in  the  preceding,   of    which  it  is 
probably  a  variety. 


ETHEOSTOMID^E. — LXXXIX.  219 

3.  NOTHQNQTUS,  Agassiz.     TROUT  DARTERS. 

1.  N.  niger,  (Raf.)  Jordan.     TROUT  DARTER.      BLUE- 
BREASTED  DARTER.     Dark  olive;  head  blackish  above; 
breast  and  throat  deep  blue;   sides  greenish,  sprinkled 
with  carmine  dots,  much  as  in  a  trout;  series  of  oliva- 
ceous lines  along  the  rows  of  scales;  vertical  fins  chiefly 
orange  at  base  with  a  bright  blue  edging,  in  $  merely 
speckled;    lateral    line    nearly  complete;    D.  XII — 13 
(D.  X,  Raf.  Kirt.);    A.  II,  8;  length   2J  inches.     Ohio 
Valley,  not  common,  one  of  the  handsomest  of  our  fishes; 
the  coloration  is  often  quite  dark.     [C.  maculatus,  (Kirt.) 
Jordan.]    I  have  hitherto  referred  this  genus  to  Catonotus, 
but  the  two  genera  must  either  be .  kept  separate   or 
both  united  with  Poecilichthys. 

2.  N.  punctu/atus,  Ag.     DOTTED  DARTER.     Greenisn, 
mottled  with  black;  fins  all  dotted;  D.  IX — 13;  A.  II,  8. 
Mo.;  Ark.     (Boleichthys  whipplei,  Grd.) 

4.  P(ECILICHTHYS,  Agassiz.    RAINBOW  DARTERS. 

=  Astatichthys,  Le  Vaillant. 

1.  P.  c&ruleus,  (Stor.)  Ag.  BLUE  DARTER.  RAIN- 
BOW FISH.  BLUE  JOHNNY.  Olivaceous,  tessellated  above, 
the  spots  running  together  into  blotches ;  back  without 
black  lengthwise  stripes;  sides  with  about  twelve  indigo 
blue  bars  running  obliquely  downward,  most  distinct 
behind,  separated  by  rich  orange  interspaces;  caudal 
deep  orange,  edged  with  bright  blue;  anal  orange,  with 
deep  blue  in  front  and  behind;  soft  dorsal  chiefly  orange, 
blue  at  base  and  tip;  spinous  dorsal  crimson  at  base, 
then  orange,  with  blue  edgings;  ventrals  bluish,  often 
deep  indigo  blue ;  cheeks  blue ;  throat  and  breast  orange, 
these  two  shades  very  constant;  $  much  duller,  with  but 
little  or  no  blue  or  orange,  the  vertical  fins  barred  or 


220  .         FISHES. 

checked;  colors  fade  in  alcohol;  body  short  and  stout; 
head  large;  D.  X— 12;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  45;  length  2  to  3 
inches.  Mississippi  Valley,  abundant;  the  most  gaily 
colored  of  all  the  Darters. 

2.  P.  specfabi/is,  Ag.     STRIPED  BLUE  DARTER.    Like 
the  preceding  and  equally  brilliant,  but  larger  and  more 
compressed,  and  more  elongate ;  back  with  distinct  black- 
ish stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales,  pattern  of  coloration 
similar,  but  the  colors  having  a  clear  or  bleached  appear- 
ance; with  the  other,  but  less  abundant;  often  found  in 
muddy  water  where  P.  cceruleus  never  ventures;  still  it 
is  perhaps  a  variety. 

3.  P.  zonal  is,  Cope.      ZONED    DARTER.      Olivaceous, 
golden  below;  six  dark  brown  quadrate  spots  along  the 
back,  connected  by  alternating  spots  with  a  brown  lateral 
band  from  which  eight  narrow  bands  encircle  the  belly; 
lower  fins  yellow  with  brown  spots;  spinous  dorsal  with 
a  crimson   band;    a  series  of  crimson  spots  on  base  of 
soft  dorsal;  black  spot  on  opercle,  occiput  and  base  of 
pectorals;  black  bars  downward  from  eye  and  forward; 
D.  XI— 12;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  52.     Indiana  to  Tenn. 

5.  BOLEICHTHYS,  Girard.     RED- SIDED  DARTERS. 
>  Hololepis,  Agassiz. 

1.  B.  fusiformis,  (Grd.)  Jordan.     FUSIFORM   DARTER. 
Lateral  line  on  12  scales,  reaching  middle  of  first  dorsal; 
head  3J-  in  length;  yellowish  brown;  spotted;  D.  VIII— 
9;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  52.     Charles  R.,  Mass. 

2.  B.  erochrous,  (Cope)  Jordan.     RED- SIDED  DARTER. 
Lateral  line  extending  to  middle  of  first  dorsal  on  12  to 
16   scales;    head  4  in  length;    sides  with   dusky  band, 
interrupted  by  red  dots;   D.  IX— 10;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  44. 
New  Jersey. 


ETHEOSTOMIDJE. — LXXXIX.  221 

3.  B.  exiliSf  Girard.  SLENDER  RED-SIDED  DARTER. 
Lateral  line  on  22  to  28  scales,  about  reaching  end  of  first 
dorsal;  head  3f  in  length;  caudal  peduncle  much 
elongated;  olivaceous  brown,  with  zigzag  markings,  sides 
with  about  ten  red  spots,  separated  by  brown  interspaces; 
first  dorsal  bluish  at  base,  red  above;  other  fins  reddish 
and  barred;  oblique  streaks  downward  and  forward  from 
eye;  D.  IX  or  X— 9  to  10;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  60;  length  2 
inches.  Wisconsin  to  Idaho;  abundant  in  clear  brooks. 

6.  PLEUROLEPIS,  Agassiz.  PELLUCID  DARTERS. 
1.  P.  pel  lucid  us,  Agassiz.  SAND  DARTER.  Depth  6 
to  8  in  length;  body  nearly  cylindrical;  head  elongated, 
pointed;  scales  small,  finely  dotted,  far  apart,  and  deeply 
imbedded;  fins  small;  color  pinkish  white,  pellucid  in 
life,  with  a  series  of  small,  squarish,  olive  (blue)  blotches 
along  back,  and  another  along  sides,  the  spots  connected 
by  a  gilt  line;  D.  X— 9;  A.  II,  6;  length  2  to  3  inches. 
Ohio  Valley,  in  sandy  streams;  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing of  our  fishes. 

7.  BOLEOSOMA,  DeKay.     TESSELLATED  DARTERS 

>  Arlina  and  Estrella,  Grd. 

*  Dorsal,  with   9   spines ;    soft    dorsal    much  larger  than  anal. 
(Soleosoma.) 

1.  B.  olmstedi,  (Storer)  Ag.  TESSELLATED  DARTER. 
Fins  stouter  and  higher  than  in  the  next;  depth  5^  in 
length;  head  4dt;  olivaceous,  fins  barred;  back  tessel- 
lated; a  black  streak  forward,  and  another  downward 
from  eye;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;  neck  and  throat 
bare;  D.  IX — 14;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  50.  New  England  to 
Wisconsin;  abundant  eastward.  Western  specimens 
generally  have  D.  IX,  12,  and  perhaps  vary  into  the 
next.  (JB.  tessellatum,  DeK.) 


222  FISHES. 

Var.  atromacu/ata,  (Grd.)  has  the  neck   and  throat 
scaly. 

2.  B.   effulgens,  (Girard)   Cope.     "  LITTLE   JOHNNY." 
SLIM  DARTER.     Paler  and  more  distinctly  tessellated; 
brownish  yellow;  upper  surface   dotted  with  brown,  the 
spots  forming  a  few  dark  bars  on  back;  a  dark  line  from 
eye  to  snout;  and  sometimes  a  bar  below  eye;  smaller 
and  slenderer  than  the  preceding,  with  smaller  fins;  eye 
as  long  as  the  narrow,  pointed  snout;    cheeks,  opercles, 
neck  and  throat  naked;  D.  IX — 12;    A.  I,  8  to  I,  10; 
lat.  1.  45.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant,  west  of  the  Alleganies. 

**  Dorsal  with  10  spines ;  anal  as  large  as  soft  dorsal.  (Cottogaster, 
Putnam.) 

3.  B.    tessellation,  Thompson,   nee   DeK.     VERMONT 
DARTER.      L.  Champlain. 

8.  ETHEOSTOMA,  Rafinesque.     BLACK-SIDED  DARTERS. 

<  Hadropterus,  Ag. 

>  Diplesion  and  Alvordius,  Grd. 

1.  E.  blennioides,  Kirtland  (nee.  Raf.)     BLACK-SIDED 
DARTER.     BLENNY  DARTER.     Head  long,  pointed,  4  in 
length;  depth  5  to  5£;    belly  with  a  series  of  caducous 
plates  along   the    middle    line  (shed  at  some  seasons.) 
Straw  yellow,  with  dark  tessellations  and  about  seven 
large  blotches   along   the   sides,   partly   confluent,  thus 
forming  a  moniliform  band;  D.  XIII,  to  XV— 12;  A.  II, 

9.  Ohio  Valley  and  Great   Lakes;    one    of  the  most 
curious  and  elegant  of  all  the  Darters.      (?  E.  macro- 
cephalum,  Cope.)     (Alvordius  and  Hadropterus  macu- 
latus,  Grd.) 

2.  E.  peltatum,  Stauffer.      SHIELDED  DARTER.     Head 
shorter;    sides    with   broad,    brownish    shades;    ventral 
shields  larger;  D.  XII— 13;  A.  II,  9;  lat.  1.  53.     Penn.j 
probably  a  variety  of  the  preceding. 


ETHEOSTOMID^E. — LXXXIX.  223 

3.  E.  nigrofasciatum,  ( Agassiz  )  Jordan.  BARRED 
BLENNY  DARTER.  Salmon  yellow,  tessellated  above; 
sides  with  nine  blackish  vertical  bars,  broad  and  short, 
almost  rectangular,  ending  abruptly  below  and  fading 
above  into  the  dark  of  the  back;  a  black  spot  on  last 
rays  of  spinous  dorsal ;  chest  bare ;  second  dorsal  smaller 
than  spinous  dorsal  or  than  anal,  the  latter  extending  far 
back;  forward  and  downward  streaks  from  eye;  D.  XI — 
10;  A.  II,  9;  length  2±  inches.  Indiana  to  Ark.  and  S., 
a  pretty  species,  very  distinct  from  any  of  the  foregoing. 
(Jfadropterus  shumardi^  Grd.) 

9.  HYPOHOMUS,  Cope.     ORANGE -SIDED  DARTERS. 

1.  H.  aurantiacus,  Cope.  ORANGE  DARTER.  Bright 
yellow,  with  a  black  lateral  band  formed  of  confluent 
spots  in  front;  a  few  brown  spots  on  back;  fins  plain; 
no  ventral  plates;  D,  XV — 15;  A,  II,  11;  size  large. 
Virginia  and  S. 

10.  DIPLESIUM,  Rafinesque.     GREEN- SIDED   DARTERS. 

=  Hyostoma,  Agassiz. 

1.  D.  blennioides,  (Raf.)  Jordan.  GREEN- SIDED 
DARTER.  Olive  green  and  tessellated  above;  sides  with 
a  series  of  about  seven  double  transverse  bars,  each  pair 
forming  a  Y-shaped  figure;  these  are  joined  above, 
making  a  sort  of  wavy  lateral  band;  in  life,  these  mark- 
ings are  of  a  clear  deep  green;  sides  sprinkled  with 
orange  dots;  head  with  olive  stripes  and  the  usual  dark 
bars;  first  dorsal  dark  orange  brown  at  base;  blue  above 
becoming  pale  at  tip;  second  dorsal  and  anal  of  a  rich 
blue  green  with  some  reddish;  caudal  greenish;  young 
specimens  much  duller,  but  the  peculiar  pattern  is 
unmistakable;  body  stout;  head  short  and  thick;  D. 
XII  to  XIII— 13;  A.  II,  8;  length  3  inches.  Penn.  to 


224  FISHES. 

Kas.  and  S.,  abundant  in  Indiana,  one  of  the  handsomest 
of  fishes.  \H.  cymatogrammum,  (Abbott)  Cope.]  (?  E. 
vciriatum,  Kirtland.)  (J5T.  blennioperca,  Cope.) 

2.  D.  s/moterum,  ( Cope )  Copeland.  SNUB  -  NOSED 
DARTER.  Body  short  and  thick;  head  very  short  and 
blunt;  a  series  of  square  dark  green  blotches  along  sides 
and  another  on  the  back;  spotted  above  with  red;  belly 
saffron;  soft  dorsal  chiefly  blood-red;  first  dorsal  orange- 
margined;  D.  X — 11 ;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  52;  length  3  inches. 
Holston  R. 

//.  PERCINA,  Haldeman.      LOG  PERCHES. 

=  Pileoma,  DeKay. 

1.  P.  caprodes,  (Raf.)  Girard.  LOG  PERCH.  HOG  FISH. 
JACK  PIKE.  Salmon  yellow  or  greenish,  with  about 
fifteen  transverse  dark  bands  from  back  to  belly,  these 
usually  alternating  with  shorter  and  fainter  ones  reach- 
ing about  to  lateral  line;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal; 
belly  with  a  row  of  enlarged  plates,  shed  at  some 
seasons;  D.  XIII— 12;  A.  II,  10.  Great  Lakes  and 
Western  Streams,  abundant,  E.  to  L.  Champlain;  the 
largest  of  the  Darters,  reaching  a  length  of  six  or  eight 
inches.  (P.  zebra,  semifasciata,  nebulosa,  and  bimaculata 
of  authors.) 

FAMILY  XC.  — PERCID^E. 

(The  Percys.) 

Body  oblong,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with 
rather  small,  strongly  ctenoid  scales;  opercular  bones 
mostly  serrated;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on  jaws,  vomer 
and  palatines;  mouth  slightly  oblique;  dorsals  two,  dis- 
tinct, both  well  developed;  ventrals  thoracic  I,  5;  anal 
with  one  or  two  spines;  branchiostegals  seven;  air  bladder 
present,  moderately  developed;  intestinal  canal  with  a 


PERCIDJE.— XC.  225 

few  pyloric  coeca.  Carnivorous  fishes  of  moderate  or 
rather  large  size,  chiefly  of  the  rivers  of  the  Northern 
Hemisphere.  As  here  restricted,  a  small  family  of  about 
five  genera  and  fifteen  species. 

*  No  canine  teeth  among  the  villiform  ones;   body  compressed, 

cross-banded.         . PERCA,  1. 

**  With  strong  canine  teeth ;  body  elongated.      STIZOSTEDIDM,  2. 

/.  PERCA,  Linnaeus.     PERCHES. 

1.  P.  flavescens,  (Mit.)  Cuv.  COMMON  YELLOW  PERCH. 
Olivaceous,  sides  yellowish,  with  broad  dark  bars;  head 
3£  in  length;  depth  about  the  same;  D.  XIII — 14;  A. 
II,  7;  lat.  1.  63.  Fresh  waters  E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  north- 
ward and  eastward. 

2.  STIZOSTEDIUM,  Rafinesque.     PIKE  PERCHES. 
=  Lucioperca,  Cuvier. 

1.  S.  americanum,  (Val.)  Gill.      WALL-EYED  PIKE. 
YELLOW  PIKE.    SALMON  (S.)    GLASS  EYE.    DORY.   Olive 
green;    young  yellow,  with  dark  blotches;    head  3^  in 
length;  depth  about  4,  varying  with  age;  a  dark  spot  on 
spinous  dorsal  behind;    D.  XIV— I,  20.     A.  II,  13;    lat. 
1.  100.     Great  Lakes  and  Western  Rivers,   reaching  a 
weight  of  15  Ibs.  or  more. 

2.  S.  griseum,  (DeKay)  Milner.    SAUGER.    GRAY  PIKE 
PERCH.     Paler;  fins  all  spotted;  a  smaller  spine  above 
and  one  below  the  large  opercular  one;    fins  all  black- 
spotted;  D.  XIV— I,  18;    A.  II,  12;    lat.  1.  105.     Great 
Lakes;    smaller  than  the  preceding;  perhaps  the  same 
as  the  next. 

3.  S.  salmoneum,  Raf.    WHITE  SALMON  OF  THE  OHIO. 
Whitish,    faintly   barred;    much    paler    than  S.  ameri- 

15 


226  DISHES. 

carmm;  dorsal  fins  high;  head  3f  in  length;  depth  5£; 
D.  XIV— I,  20;  A.  II,  11;  lat.  1.  100.  Ohio  R.  "A 
handsome  fish,  resembling  an  Aspro"  (Cove.) 

FAMILY  XCL— LABRACID^E. 

(T7ie  Bass.) 

Percoid  fishes  with  the  general  characters  of  the  pre- 
ceding family,  but  having  three  anal  spines,  and  the 
spines  of  the  dorsal  reduced  in  number,  generally  nine 
or  ten;  teeth  on  the  tongue  in  our  species.  Genera 
fifteen;  species  thirty-five.  Mostly  of  northern  regions, 
the  majority  of  them  marine,  often  entering  rivers. 

*  No  teeth  on  tip  of  tongue ;   3d  anal  spine  longest  and  usually 

stoutest;  anal  with  10  to  12  soft  rays.        .        .       Roccus,  1. 

**  Teeth  on  tip  of  tongue ;  second  anal  spine  stoutest ;  anal  with 

9  soft  rays ;  opercular  scales  large.        .        .        MORONE,  2. 

/.  ROCCUS,  Mitchill.     STRIPED  BASS. 
<  Labrax,  Cuvier. 

*  Body  little  compressed ;   depth  less  than  £  of  length ;    chiefly 

marine.    (Roccus.) 

1.  R.  lineatus,  (Bl.   &   Schn.)   Gill.      STRIPED    BASS. 
ROCK  FISH.     Silvery  or  yellowish,  with  seven  or  eight 
longitudinal  bands;  D.  IX— 1,  12;  A.  Ill,  11;  lat.  1.  62. 
Atlantic  Coast,  sometimes  entering  rivers. 

**  Body  much  compressed ;    depth  more  than  i  of  length ;    fresh 
waters.    (Lepibema,  Raf.) 

2.  R.  chrysops,  (Raf.)  Gill.     WHITE  BASS.     STRIPED 
LAKE  BASS.      Silvery,  with  six  or  more  dark   stripes, 
sometimes  "  so  interrupted  and  transposed  as  to  appear 
like  ancient  church  music.'*    D.  IX — 1,  12;  A.  Ill,  13; 
lat.   1.    55.       Great    Lakes,    Upper    Mississippi    Valley 
and   N.     (Labrax  multilineatus,   notcitus,   albidus  and 
osculatii  of  authors.) 


ICHTHELID^]. — XCII.  227 

2.  MORONE,  Mitchill.     WHITE  BASS. 
<  Labrax,  Cuvier. 

1.  M.  americana,  (Gmel.)  Gill.   WHITE  PERCH.  Whit- 
ish,   usually   faintly    striped;     depth    3   in   length;     D. 
IX  — I,    12;     A.    Ill,  9;    lat.  1.  50.     Atlantic  Coast, 
abundant   also   in    fresh   water   ponds,  etc.,    coastwise; 
variable.     (L.  mucronatus,  rufus  and  pallidus,  authors.) 

2.  M.  interrupta.  Gill.      SHORT  -  STRIPED   OR   BRASSY 
BASS.      Silvery,    with    interrupted    black    stripes  ;    D. 
IX— I,  13;  A.  Ill,  9.     Mississippi  Valley,  chiefly  south- 
ward.    (L.  chrysops,  Grd.,  not  of  Gill.) 

FAMILY  XCIL  — ICHTHELIDJS. 

(The  Sun  FisTies.) 

Percoid  fishes  with  a  single  dorsal  fin,  either  continu- 
ous or  deeply  divided,  with  eight  to  twelve  spines;  anal 
fin  large,  with  three  to  nine  spines;  ventrals  thoracic,  I, 
5;  body  oblong,  more  or  less  elevated,  sometimes  much 
compressed;  opercular  bones  feebly  if  at  all  serrated, 
often  with  entire  edges;  scales  scarcely  ctenoid,  some- 
times cycloid;  cleft  of  mouth  more  or  less  oblique,  lower 
jaw  the  longer;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer  and  usually 
on  palatines;  many  species  with  a  small  supernumerary 
bone  lying  behind  the  maxillary  and  parallel  with  it; 
others  with  a  more  or  less  prolonged  flap  extending 
backwards  from  the  upper  angle  of  the  opercle;  nearly 
all  with  a  black  spot  at  this  point,  which  also  covers  the 
flap  if  the  latter  is  developed;  colors  usually  brilliant, 
chiefly  olive  green,  with  spots  or  shades  of  blue,  yellow, 
orange  or  violet.  Fresh  water  fishes;  many  of  them 
build  nests  which  they  defend  with  much  courage;  all 
are  carnivorous,  voracious  and  "  gamey."  Genera  about 
fifteen;  species  forty;  all  American,  and  most  abundant 


228  FISHES. 

in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  every  where  forming  a  charac- 
teristic feature  of  our  fish-fauna.  The  genera  are  quite 
well  known,  and  most  of  them  are  firmly  established; 
but  the  species  of  some  groups,  particularly  Ichthelis 
and  C ' hcenobryttus  are  in  a  state  of  almost  inextricable 
confusion. 

*  Dorsal  fin  long,  deeply  divided,  sometimes  almost  into  two  fins ; 
dorsal  spines  10,  anal  3 ;  opercle  emarginate  behind ;  caudal 
emarginate;  an  additional  maxillary  bone;  mouth  wide; 
body  moderately  elevated.  (MICROPTERIN/E.) 

MICROPTERUS,  1. 

**  Dorsal  fin  continuous,  without  deep  division,  about  equal  to  the 
anal  in  extent;  opercle  emarginate  behind,  ending  in  two  flat 
points;  a  slender  supernumerary  bone  attached  along  the 
posterior  margin  of  the  broad  flattish  maxillary;  soft  fins 
high,  mottled.  (CENTRARCHIN/E.) 

a.  Spinous  dorsal  longer  than  soft  part,  forming  an  angle  with 
it;  dorsal  spines  11  or  12,  anal  spines  about  8. 

CENTRARCHUS,  2. 

aa.  Spinous  dorsal  shorter  than  soft  part,  continuous  with  it ; 

dorsal  spines  6  to  8 ;  anal  spines  normally  6.    POMOXYS,  3. 

***  Dorsal  fin  without  division,  notably  larger  than  anal.     (IcH- 

THELIN.E.) 

f  Anal  with  5  or  6  spines ;  dorsal  with  10  to  12 ;  opercle  emar- 
ginate behind ;  a  supernumerary  maxillary  bone. 

Scales  ctenoid ;  caudal  emarginate ;  fins  mottled ;  anal 

spines  normally  6.         .         .        AMBLOPLITES,  4. 

Scales  cycloid ;  caudal  rounded ;  fins  plain ;  anal  spines 

normally  5.         ...        ACANTHARCHUS,  5. 

ft  Anal  with  4  spines ;  dorsal  with  8 ;  caudal  rounded. 

HEMIOPLITES,  6. 

fff  Anal  with  three  spines. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  9  (sometimes  abnormally  8  or  10) ;   caudal 
rounded;    opercle     emarginate  behind — not  ending  in 

rounded  flap ENNEACANTHUS,  7. 

bb.  Dorsal  spines  10  (rarely  9  or  11  in  abnormal  specimens.) 


ICHTHELID^E. — XCII.  229 

c.  Opercle  emarginate ;  caudal  rounded ;  spinons  and  soft 
dorsals  forming  an  angle;  sides  with  black  vertical 

bars MESOGONISTIUS,  8. 

cc.  Opercle  entire  and  rounded  behind,  often  more  or  less 
produced,  and  always  with  a  black  spot ;  caudal  emar- 
ginate. 

d.  Maxillary  rather  broad  and  flat,  somewhat  triangular- 
elongate,  with  (always?)  a  narrow  supernumerary 
bone  lying  along  its  posterior  margin ;  mouth  wride. 

e.  Tongue  with  a  conspicuous  patch  of  teeth ;   mouth 

very  large,  maxillary  reaching  to  opposite  eye; 
opercular  spot  large;  body  deep,  thick  and  strong, 
with  large  scales;  aspect  and  dentition  of  Amblo- 

plites GLOSSOPLITES,  9, 

ee.  Tongue  without  teeth ;  mouth  smaller ;  maxillary  not 
reaching  to  middle  of  eye ;  opercular  spot  small ; 
body  elongated;  scales  small,  usually  with  blue 
clots ;  aspect  and  dentition  of  Ichthelis. 

CH^NOBRYTTUS,  10. 

dd.  Maxillary  narrow  and  thicker,  approaching  club- 
shaped,  without  supernumerary  bone ;  mouth  usually 
smaller;  colors  mostly  bright. 

f.  Lower  pharyngeal  teeth  conic,  acute;   opercular  flap 

various,  usually  more  or  less  elongated  in  adult. 

ICHTHELIS,  11. 

ff.  Lower  pharyngeal  teeth  rounded,  pavement-like; 
opercular  flap  rather  short  and  broad,  distinctly 
tipped  below  and  behind  with  scarlet. 

POMOTIS,  12. 

1.  MICROPTERUS,  Lacepede.     BLACK  BASS. 

>  Huro  and  G-rystes,  C.  &  V. 

=  Calliurus,  Raf.  (not  of  Agassiz.) 

=  Lepomis,  Raf. 

1.  M.  nigricans,  (Cuv.)  Gill.  LARGE-MOUTHED  BLACK 
BASS.  OSWEGO  BASS.  Dull  olive  green,  more  or  less 
spotted  when  young  but  not  barred;  usually  with  an 


230  FISHES. 

irregular  dark  lateral  band,  and  three  oblique  stripes  on 
opercles;  end  of  caudal  fin  blackish,  these  markings 
growing  obscure  with  age ;  3d  dorsal  spine  twice  as  high 
as  first;  notch  between  spines  and  soft- rays  deep;  eleven 
rows  of  scales  between  lateral  line  and  dorsal;  anal  fin 
somewhat  scaly;  mouth  very  wide;  D.  X,  14;  A.  Ill,  12; 
lat.  1.  70  to  80.  Great  Lakes  and  rivers  of  the  West  and 
South,  abundant  in  most  regions,  and,  like  the  next, 
highly  valued  as  a  food  fish.  (Huro  nigricans  C.  &  V. 
G.  nobilior  and  nigricam,  Agass.) 

2.  M.  salmoides,  (Lac.)  Gill.  SMALL-MOUTHED  BLACK 
BASS.  Moss  BASS.  Dark  green;  young  brighter  and 
more  or  less  barred  and  spotted,  but  without  lateral 
band;  tail  yellow  at  base,  then  black,  and  edged  with 
white;  opercle  with  oblique  olivaceous  streaks;  third 
dorsal  spine  half  larger  than  first;  dorsal  notch  rather 
shallow;  scales  larger  than  in  the  preceding  —  eight  rows 
between  lateral  line  and  dorsal;  mouth  smaller;  anal 
nearly  scaleless;  fin  rays  as  above;  lat.  1.  60  to  70. 
Great  Lakes  and  streams  from  L.  Champlain  S.  and  W.; 
common  in  N.  Y.  and  in  most  regions  west  of  the  Alle- 
ganies;  introduced  eastward.  [G.  fasciatus,  (Les.)  Ag. 
C.  obscuruS)  DeK.  (young.)  M.  achigan^  (Raf.)  Gill, 
etc.,  etc.] 

2.  CENTRARCHUS,  Cuvier.     MANY-SPINED  BASS. 

1.  C.  irideus,  (Bosc.)  C.  &  V.  SHINING  BASS.  Bright 
green  with  dark  spots;  vertical  fins  mottled;  dorsal  with 
black  spot  behind,  which  is  sometimes  ocellated  with 
orange;  form  much  as  in  next  genus;  D.  XII,  14; 
A.  VIII,  15;  L.  6.  Rivers  of  Southern  States. 

3.  POMQXYS,  Rafinesque.     HIGH-FINNED  BASS. 
*  Dorsal  spines  normally  7 ;    body  much  elevated ;   depth  half 
length.    (Hyperistius,  Gill.) 


ICHTHELIIXE. — XCII.  231 

1.  P.  hexacanthus,  (C.  &  V.)  Agass.  GRASS  BASS.  Six- 
SPINED  BASS.     Depth  2  in  length;  head  nearly  3;  snout 
projecting,  forming  an  angle  with  the  descending  pro- 
file;   mouth  large,  very  oblique;    fins  very  large;    anal 
larger  than  dorsal;  bright  olive  green  and  silvery;  sides 
and  fins  much  mottled;    D.  VII,  15;    A.  VI,  18;    lat.  1. 
41;    L.  8.      Great  Lakes  to  Delaware  R.  (Abbott)  and 
S.  W.;  a  handsome  fish. 

**  Dorsal  spines  normally  6;    body  less  elevated ;    depth  about 
one-third  length.    (Pomoxys.) 

2.  P.  annularis,  Raf.      BACHELOR    (Ohio   R.)      NEW 
LIGHT  (Ky.)     CRAPPIE  (St.  Louis).     Depth  two-fifths  to 

one-third  length,  scarcely  greater  than  length  of  head; 
olivaceous, silvery  below;  sides  with  irregular  clusters  of 
dusky  spots;  D.  VII  (V  to  VIII),  15;  A.  VI,  17;  lat.  1. 
43  (39  to  48);  L.  10.  Mississippi  Valley;  a  food  fish  of 
some  value;  abundant  and  exceedingly  variable.  [P. 
nitidus,  Grd.  P.  storerius,  (Kirt.)  Gill.  P.  intermedius, 
protacanthus  and  brevicauda,  Gill.] 

4.  AMBLOPLITES,  Rafinesque.     ROCK  BASS. 
<  Centrarchus,  Cuvier. 

1.  A.  rupestris,    (Raf.)    Gill.      ROCK  BASS.     GOGGLE 
EYE.     RED  EYE.     Depth  about  half  length;  head  more 
than  one-third;  eye  nearly  4  in  head,  very  large;  cheeks 
scaly;  front  convex;  longest  dorsal  ray  two-thirds  depth 
of  head  at  front  of  orbit;  brassy  olive  with  golden  green 
and  blackish  markings;  a  dark  spot  at  base  of  each  scale, 
which  is  conspicuous  after  death,  giving  a  striped  appear- 
ance;   D.  XI,  11;    A.  VI,   10;    lat.  1.  42;  L.  8.     Great 
Lakes  and  rivers  west  of  the  Alleganies;    an  abundant 
species.      [A.  ceneus,  (C.  &  V.)  Ag.      A.  ichtheloides, 
(Raf.)  Ag.] 

2.  A.  cavifrons,  Cope.     Depth  2£  in  length;    mouth 


232  FISHES. 

larger,  muzzle  more  projecting,  the  front  therefore  con- 
cave, cheeks  nearly  naked;  eyes  still  larger,  3  in  head; 
longest  dorsal  ray  equal  to  depth  of  head  at  front  of 
orbit;  silvery,  dusted  with  dark  points;  scales  with  dark 
shades;  D.  X,  12;  A.  VI,  11;  lat.  1.  38.  Roanoke  R. 

5.  ACANTHARCHUS,  Gill.      BASS  SUN  FISHES. 

<  Centrarchus,  Baird. 

1.  A.  pomotis,  (Baird)  Gill.  MUD  SUN  FISH.  Ellip- 
tical; mouth  large;  dark  greenish  olive,  with  dull  yellow- 
ish markings  and  longitudinal  dusky  streaks;  opercles 
with  dusky  radiating  bars;  D.  XI,  12;  A.  V,  12;  L.  5. 
Muddy  streams  coastwise,  N.  J.,  N.  Y.,  etc. 

6.  HEMIOPLITES,  Cope.     FOUR-SPINED  SUN  FISH. 

1.  H.  simulans,  Cope.  FOUR-SPINED  SUN  FISH.  Head 
2f  in  length,  depth  2£;  eye  3£  in  head;  bright  olive,  with 
dusky  stripes;  sides  and  cheeks  with  purple  reflections; 
D.  VIII,  11;  A.  IV,  10;  lat.  1.  30.  James  R.,  Va.  Re- 
sembles E.  obesus. 

7.  ENNEACANTHUS,  Gill.     NINE-SPINED  SUN  FISHES. 

<  Bryttus,  Putnam. 

1.  E.  obesus,  ( Baird )  Gill.  SPOTTED  SUN  FISH. 
Depth  about  half  length;  dark  olive  green,  much 
barred  or  mottled;  cheeks  with  lines  and  spots;  opercular 
flaps  velvet  black,  bordered  with  purple ;  a  dark  bar  below 
eye;  $  brightly  colored;  fins  high,  spotted  or  mottled 
with  blue;  D.  IX,  10;  A.  Ill — 10;  L.  3.  Streams  coast- 
wise from  Mass.,  southward;  a  handsome  little  fish.  E. 
guttatus  (Morris)  Cope,  is  the  male  (Abbott.) 

8.  MESOGONISTIUS,  Gill.     BLACK -BANDED  SUN  FISH. 
1.  M.  ch&todon,  (Baird)  Gill.     BLACK -BANDED   SUN 


ICHTHELID^E. — XCII.  233 

FISH.  Suborbicular;  depth  about  half  length;  spines 
long,  longest  equal  to  distance  from  snout  to  preopercle ; 
eye  large,  three  in  head;  dirty  straw  color,  clouded  with 
olive;  sides  with  four  to  six  well-defined  black  vertical 
bars  running  up  on  the  fins;  first  through  eye,  last  at 
base  of  tail;  D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  12;  lat.  1.  28;  L.  3.  New 
Jersey  to  Maryland,  in  sluggish  waters;  a  small,  hand- 
some species,  known  at  once  by  its  peculiar  coloration 

resembling  some  Chcetodonts. 

* 

9.  GLOSSGPLITES,  Jordan.     BLACK  SUN  FISHES. 
<  Calliurus,  Ag. 

1.  G.  melanops,   (Grd.)    Jordan.      BLACK  SUN  FISH. 

Depth  nearly  half  length;  head  two-fifths;  eye  large; 
body  very  robust,  broad  forwards,  compressed  behind; 
nape  rounded;  a  depression  over  eye,  the  snout  project- 
ing, and  forming  an  angle;  fins  rather  low,  with  stout 
spines;  mouth  very  large,  with  strong  teeth,  the  maxil- 
lary bone  very  broad  and  flat,  reaching  to  posterior  mar- 
gin of  eye;  tongue  with  one  or  more  conspicuous 
patches  of  teeth;  teeth  on  palatines;  scales  large; 
coppery  olive,  or  blackish,  sides  with  faint  streaks  along 
the  rows  of  scales;  five  dark  bands  radiating  from  eye 
across  cheek;  opercular  spot  very  large;  soft  rays  of 
fins  barred;  D.  X,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat.  1.  40.  Illinois  R. 
(Prof.  Forbes]  to  Texas  and  W.;  a  fine  large  species 
having  the  appearance  and  dentition  of  Ambloplites,  but 
with  three  anal  spines  and  a  rounded  operculum  as  in 
C hcenobryttus.  (Ch.  charybdis,  Cope.) 

2.  G.  gilli'i,  (Cope.)  Jordan.    RED-EYED  BREAM.  Light 
green  with  olive  cross-bars,  which  embrace  pale  spots, 
forming  a  chain-like  pattern ;  four  radiating  bands  behind 
the   eye;    fins  blackish,   barred;    opercular  spot  small; 


234  FISHES. 

maxillary  reaching  to  beyond  eye;  head  =  depth,  2|  in 
length;  eye  large,  3  in  head;  D.  X,  10;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat.  1. 
45.  Va.  and  S. ;  chiefly  E.  of  the  Alleganies.  (Perhaps 
a  Chcenobryttus.) 

10.  CH/ENOBRYTTUS,  Gill.     RED  EYES. 

Telipomis,  Raf.    (Perhaps  the  name  to  be  adopted.) 

=  Calliurus,  Ag.  (but  not  of  Raf.) 
*  Dorsal  spines  low;  scales  small,  with  blue  spots. 

1.  C.  cyanellus,  (Raf.)  Jordan.  BLUE -SPOTTED  SUN 
FISH.  Dark  clear  olive-green,  each  scale  with  a  blue 
spot  and  more  or  less  of  gilt  edging,  the  body  thus 
appearing  more  or  less  striped  along  the  rows  of  scales; 
colors  variable,  golden  olive,  green  or  even  almost  blue; 
cheeks  with  bright  blue  horizontal  stripes;  body  more  or 
less  sprinkled  with  irregular  dark  dots;  vertical  fins 
marked  with  green  and  blue  and  more  or  less  edged 
with  pale  orange;  usually  no  distinct  black  dorsal  spot; 
opercular  spot  small,  with  brassy  edgings;  depth  2f  in 
length,  head  xJ^;  dorsal  spines  low  and  stout;  pectoral 
fins  short,  4^  to  5  in  total  length  (with  caudal);  lat.  1.  48; 
L.  4  to  6.  Ohio  Valley  and  W.  abundant.  (C.  longulus 
and  C.  formosus^  Grd.) 

Var.  melanops,  (Raf.)  Jor.  BIG  -  MOUTHED  SUN  FISH. 
Very  near  the  preceding,  but  perhaps  a  distinct  species; 
nape  less  elevated,  body  deeper,  spines  slenderer, 
mouth  rather  smaller;  pectorals  long,  3  to  4  in  total 
length;  color  varying  from  pale  olive  to  almost  black; 
sides  usually  showing  vertical  bars;  a  black  blotch  on 
back  of  last  rays  of  dorsal,  and  usually  of  anal  also,  as 
in  Ichthelis  incisor.  Ohio  Valley  and  N.  W.,  abundant. 
(C.  mineopas.  Cope). 

**  Dorsal  spiues  rather  long ;    scales  larger,  without  distinct  blue 
spots. 


ICHTHELID^E. — XCII.  235 

2.  C.  gulosus,  (C.   &   V.)   Jordan.     WIDE -MOUTHED 
SUN  FISH.     Olive  and  yellow,  sides  with  vertical   bars; 
no    dorsal   spot  ;    form   broad   ovate;    eye  4£  in  head. 
Southern    States.       An   imperfectly   described   species, 
unknown  to  me. 

3.  C.  nephelus,   (Cope)   Jordan.      CHAIN- SIDED   SUN 
FISH.     Bright  steel  blue,  with  many  bronze  orange  spots, 
which  cover  nearly  the  whole  surface,  so  arranged  that 
the  ground  color  forms  a  series  of 'vertical  chain-like 
bars,  very  conspicuous  in  life;  vertical  fins  mottled  with 
bronze,  and  usually  more  or  less  edged  with  pale  orange; 
no  black  dorsal  spot^  no  distinct  blue  cheek  stripes,  but 
sides  of  head  shaded  with  purplish;    body  rather  elon- 
gate ;  head  somewhat  acute ;  opercular  spot  small ;  depth 
2^  in  length;  head  nearly  3;  lat.  1.  42;  L.  3  to  4..     Ohio 
Valley.      A  small  species  and  one  of  the  handsomest; 
extremely  hardy  in  aquaria,  and  perhaps  the  most  vora- 
cious of  the  Sun  Fishes.     (This  may  prove  to  belong 
to  the  next  genus.) 

*  //.  ICHTHELIS,  Rafinesque.     SUN  FISHES. 
=  Lepomis,  Cope,  and  in  part  of  Raf.  (1818,  not  1820). 
>  Bryttus,  C.  &  V.  (species  with  palatine  teeth). 
<  Pomotis,  Cuvier,  (species  without  palatine  teeth). 
1.  /.  incisor,  (C.  &  V.)  Holbr.    BLUE  SUN  FISH.   COP- 
PEE- NOSED  BKEAM.     Olive-green,    adults  dark,  young 

*  The  species  of  this  genus  are  very  closely  related;  the  general  structure 
(dentition,  scales,  fin-rays,  etc.)  is  essentially  the  same  in  all.  while  those  char- 
acters which  usually  afford  specific  distinctions  are  in  the  highest  degree  vari- 
able. The  form  of  body,  size  and  form  of  opercular  flap,  coloration,  etc.,  vary 
very  much  with  age,  and  even  of  specimens  of  the  same  age  it  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  find  two  which  are  alike  in  these  respects.  The  following  descriptions 
are  chiefly  drawn  up  from  Ohio  River  specimens,  and  they  will  be  found  to  be 
descriptions  of  individuals  rather  than  of  species,  and  more  or  less  deviation 
from  them  must  be  expected.  It  is  hoped,  however,  that  by  their  aid  the 
student  will  generally  be  enabled  to  identify  adult  specimens.  The  study  of 
Sun  Fishes  under  two  inches  long,  is.  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge, 
extremely  diflicult  and  unsatisfactory. 


236  FISHES. 

more  or  less  silvery,  often  uniformly  so  in  spirits;  a  more 
or  less  distinct  purple  lustre  in  life;  sides  with  undulat- 
ing, sometimes  chain-like,  transverse  bars,  most  con- 
spicuous in  the  young ;  a  black  spot  on  base  of  dorsal 
and  anal  behind;  no  blue  stripes  on  cheeks;  no  red 
markings;  opercular  flap  moderately  long  and  wide  in 
adults,  without  pale  edge,  very  short  in  young;  body 
deep,  compressed,  caudal  peduncle  long  and  slender; 
head  3  in  length;  depth  about  2;  dorsal  spines  very  long  • 
D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  10;  lat.  1.  40  to  45;  L.  8.  Great  Lakes 
to  Delaware  R.  (Abbott)  and  S.,  abundant.  A  large  and 
very  variable  species,  but  almost  always  recognizable  by 
the  characters  above  emphasized.  (L.  ardesiacus,  L. 
megalotis,  and  L.  purpurascens,  Cope.) 

Var.?  speciosus,  (B.  &  G.)  Jordan.  SOUTHEKN  SUN 
FISH.  Dorsal  spines  longer  than  the  soft  rays;  otherwise 
similar  to  incisor.  S.  W.  (L.  longispinis,  Cope.  P.  heros, 
Grd.) 

Var.?  obscurus,  (Ag.)  Jordan.  DUSKY  SUN  FISH. 
Like  I.  incisor,  but  uniformly  dusky;  face  and  jaws  lead 
color;  body  more  elongate,  and  profile  steeper;  ear-flap 
long;  dorsal  spines  rather  short.  Tennessee  R. 

2.  /.  macrochira,  Raf.  GILDED  SUN  FISH.  Pale  olive, 
young  almost  translucent ;  sides  and  fins  profusely 
speckled  with  golden  orange,  forming  bars  or  chains; 
orange  below;  cheeks  with  narrow  blue  horizontal  lines; 
no  dorsal  spot;  flap  moderate,  rather  narroio,  narrowly 
bordered  by  light  /  forehead  regularly  convex,  the  bulk 
of  the  body  thrown  forward /  dorsal  spines  moderate; 
pectorals  nearly  reaching  anal;  ventrals  elongate;  head 
3  in  length,  depth  2^;  eye  =  flap,  4  in  head;  lat.  1.  42. 
Ohio  Valley  and  W.,  abundant. 


ICHTHELID.E.— XCII.  237 

3.  /.  bombifrons,    (Ag.)    Bliss.      ROUND-FACED    SUN 
FISH.      Light  brown;    fins  pale,   unspotted;    belly  and 
sides  dotted  with  golden  orange;    head  much  broader, 
deeper  and  shorter  than  in  any  other  species;  the  profile 
being    exceedingly   prominent,    the    forehead    strongly 
arched,  and   the    greatest  depth  immediately  over  the 
opercle ;  flap  very  short  and  small ;    soft  rays  of  dorsal 
much    higher  than    spines;     depth    2^   in  length,    head 
nearly  3.     Tennessee  R.;  rare. 

4.  /.  inscriptus,  (Ag.)  Bliss.     BLUE-GREEN  SUN  FISH. 
Dark  olive  green,  with  blue  shades;  many  scales  marked 
each  vrith  a  short  horizontal  black  line,  like  a  pencil  mark, 
these  forming  faint  stripes  along  the  sides  of  the  back; 
cheeks  with  blue  lines;    opercular  flap  moderate,  rather 
narrow,  directed  quite  obliquely  upwards,  bordered  above 
and  below  by  pinkish;    spines  long;    depth  2^  in  length. 
A  small  handsome  species,  abundant  in  the  Valley  of  the 
Ohio  and  S% 

5.  /.  anagallinus,  (Cope.)  Bliss.     RED-SPOTTED  SUN 
FISH.      Dusky   bluish,    with   greenish   mottlings;    sides 
with  many  distinct,  rather  large,  salmon-red  spots;  belly 
bright  salmon-red;    opercular  flap  rather  large,  with  a 
very  wide  red  margin,  which  entirely  surrounds  the  black; 
sometimes  a  black  dorsal  spot  (?);    spines  rather  high; 
depth  2£  in  length;  scales  large;  lat.  1.  33  to  36.    Michi- 
gan to  Tenn.  and  Kas. ;    a  small  highly  colored  species. 
(L.  peltastes,  Cope.     ?  L.  oculatus,  Cope.) 

6.  /.  megalotis,  Raf.     LONG  -  EARED  SUN  FISH.    Dark 
olive,  with  blue  shades;  belly  and  sides  of  head  strongly 
tinged  with  orange;  cheeks  and  sides  of  head  with  blue 
horizontal  bands;  a  broad  blue  stripe  in  front  of  eye;  no 
dorsal  spot;    caudal  usually  dusky;    opercular  flap  ex- 
tremely long  in  adults,  more  or  less  pale-edged,  very 


238  FISHES. 

variable;  dorsal  spines  moderate,  the  longest  longer  than 
from  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  body  deep,  profile  very 
steep;  head,  with  flap,  nearly  half  length,  depth  about  the 
same;  lat.  1.  35  to  40.  Ohio  Valley,  S.  and  W.,  abundant; 
a  beautiful  species.  (P.  nitidus,  Kirt.) 

7.  /.  fallax,  (B.   &   G.)   Jordan.      SOUTHERN   LONG- 
EAEED  SUN  FISH.      Very  similar,  but  with   a   distinct 
black  spot  on  last  rays  of  dorsal  at  base.     Lower  Miss. 
and  S.  W. 

8.  /.  sanguinolentus,  (Ag.)  Bliss.     BLUE  AND  ORANGE 
SUN  FISH.     SUN  PERCH.      Brilliant  blue,  and  orange, 
back    chiefly   blue,    belly   entirely   orange,    the    orange 
forming  irregular,  longitudinal  rows  of   spots,  the  blue 
in  wavy  vertical  lines  along  the   edges  of   the  scales; 
fins  with  the  rays  blue  and  the  membranes  orange;  ven- 
tral and  anal  shaded  with  dusky  blue,  appearing  blackish 
when  folded;  flap  very  large,  with  a  broad  pale  edge 
which  is  pink  behind,  and  bluish  in  front;    lips  blue; 
cheeks  with  bright  blue  and  orange  stripes;  top  of  head 
and  neck  blackish;    eyes   bright  red;    spines  very  low, 
lower  than  in  any  other  species  of  this  genus  •  the  longest 
dorsal  spine  shorter  than  from  snout  to  middle  of  eye  : 
occiput    depressed;    profile    high   and   strongly   curved-, 
depth  more  than  half   length;    head  with   flap,   a  little 
less;  eye  1^  in  flap;    pectorals  not  reaching  vent;  lat.  1. 
40.     Ohio  Valley  to  Alabama.     \L.  auritus,  (Raf.)  Cope.] 
Our  most  brilliantly  colored   Sun  Fish.     This  and  the 
two  preceding  run  very  closely  together  and  perhaps 
form  one  polymorphous    species.      If    so,  the  name  I. 
auritus,    Raf.,    apparently    intended     for    the    present 
species,  has  priority  and  should  be  adopted  unless  Labrus 
auritus  of  Linnaeus  proves  to  have  been  intended  for 
I.  rubricauda. 


ICHTHELIDuE. — XCH.  289 

9.  /.  rubricauda,  Holbr.    RED-TAILED  BKEAM.    Dusky 
olive  above,  belly  and  vertical  fins  red;  a  bay  spot  at 
the  base  of  each  scale,  these  forming  interrupted  stripes; 
head  with  blue  lines,  especially  noticeable  in  front   of 
eye;    opercular  flap  long,  rather   wide,  bordered  with 
blue;  spines  rather  high;  pectorals  shorter  than  ventrals; 
depth  2£  in  length.     Southern  States,  chiefly  east  of  the 
Alleganies. 

10.  /.    appendix,   (Mitch.)   Bliss.      NORTHERN   RED- 
TAILED    SUN    FISH.       Reddish    brown,    with   rusty   red 
spots ;    cheeks  with  blue    lines ;    opercular  flap    long, 
rather  narrow,  scarcely  pale-edged /  vertical  fins  more 
or  less  bright  red;  spines  moderately  high;  depth  2^  in 
length;  pectorals  as  long  as  ventrals.     Maine  to  North 
Carolina,   east  of    the    Alleganies;    the    only   Ichthelis 
occurring  in  New  England. 

Several  other  species  of  this  genus  have  been  described 
within  our  limits,  but  we  are  unable  to  recognize  them. 
A  rigid  reduction  would  perhaps  show  the  identity  of 
species  6,  7  and  8,  and  possibly  rubricauda  is  a  geo- 
graphical variety  of  appendix. 

12.  POM  OTIS,  Rafinesque.     POND  FISHES. 

1.  P.  aurHuSf  (L.)  Giinther.  COMMON  SUN  FISH. 
PUMPKIN  SEED.  BREAM.  Depth  more  than  half  length; 
greenish  olive  above,  sides  orange  -  spotted ;  orange 
yellow  below;  cheeks  orange  with  blue  wavy  streaks; 
ear-flap  rounded,  broadly  edged  with  scarlet  below  and 
behind;  lower  fins  orange,  upper  orange-spotted;  D.  X, 
10;  A.  Ill,  9;  lat.  1.  37.  Great  Lakes  and  streams 
chiefly  northward  and  E.  of  the  Alleganies;  seldom  in 
company  with  Chcenobryttus.  (JP.  maculatus,  aureus, 
vulgaris,  and  luna  of  authors.) 


240  FISHES. 

2.  P.  noiatus,  Ag.      POXD  PERCH.     More  elongated; 
ear-flap   about  as  above;    a  dusky  band  to   eye;    light 
olive,  silvery  below;  spines  rather  slender;  pectoral  fins 
elongated;    no  dorsal  spot;    D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  10;  lat.  1. 
37.     Headwaters  of  Tennessee  R.,  abundant. 

3.  P.  pal  I  id  us,   Ag.      PALE   SUN   FISH.      Resembles 
Ichthelis  incisor,  but  with  a  larger  mouth;  dorsal  with  a 
black  spot  behind;  fins  with  dark  markings;    orange  on 
ear-flap  narrow;   olive   green,   sides  with  eight  or  nine 
dusky  bars.     Tennessee  R. 

FAMILY  XCIIL  —  APHREDODERID^E. 

(The  Pirate  Perches.} 

Vent  jugular,  in  front  of  the  ventral  fins;  dorsal  fin 
single,  high,  with  but  three  spines;  ventrals  thoracic, 
without  spines  and  with  more  than  five  soft  rays;  some 
bones  of  head  spinous;  teeth  on  jaws  and  palate;  scales 
ctenoid;  branchiostegals  six;  ccecal  appendages  about 
twelve;  air  bladder  simple. 

A  single  species  known  from  the  waters  of  the  Eastern 
and  Southern  States.  It  is  remarkable  for  its  voracity 
and  for  its  nocturnal  habits.  The  unusual  .position  of 
the  vent  (as  in  Amblyopsidce]  distinguishes  it  widely 
from  the  Percoid  fishes. 

/,  APHREDODERUS,  LeSueur.     PIRATE  PERCHES. 

1.  A.  sayanus,  (Gilliams)  DeK.  PIRATE  PERCH. 
Head  3£  in  length;  depth  3f ;  greenish  olive;  a  sub- 
orbital  bar;  caudal  rounded;  lower  jaw  longest;  D.  Ill, 
11;  A.  II,  7;  lat.  1.  48;  length  5  inches.  N.  Y.  to  La., 
in  brooks  near  the  coast. 


.  —  XCIV.  241 


FAMILY  XCIV.  —  SCLENID^E. 

(The  Maigres) 

Body  compressed,  often  elongate,  covered  with  ctenoid 
scales;  lateral  line  continuous,  often  running  up  on  the 
caudal  fin;  teeth  in  villiform  bands,  sometimes  with 
canines;  vonier  and  palate  toothless;  opercles  weakly  if 
at  all  serrated;  bones  of  skull  more  or  less  cavernous, 
with  muciferous  system  highly  developed;  chin  usually 
with  pores  or  barbels;  lower  pharyngeals  distinct,  except 
in  Haploidonotus  and  its  relatives,  where  they  are 
firmly  united  (pharyngognathous)  as  in  the  LabridcKj 
dorsals  two,  distinct  or  slightly  connected,  the  soft  part 
most  developed;  vertical  fins  usually  scaly;  ventrals 
I,  5,  thoracic;  anal  spines  generally  1  or  2;  air  bladder 
large  and  often  complicated  (rarely  wanting)  ;  stomach 
ccecal  with  a  few  pyloric  appendages. 

Chiefly  marine,  in  temperate  and  warm  regions,  the 
following  only  in  fresh  water.  Genera  about  twenty; 
species  one  hundred  and  ten,  numerous  on  our  coasts: 

*  Lower  jaw  shorter,  received  within  the  upper;  both  jaws  fully 
provided  with  teeth  ;  no  canines  ;  lower  pharyngeals  united. 
(HAPLOIDONOTIN^E.) 

f  Body  moderately  elevated  ;    depth  about  one-third  length  ; 
caudal  double-truncate,  slightly  prolonged  behind. 

HAPLOIDONOTUS,  1. 

f  f  Body  greatly  elevated  at  the  shoulders  ;  depth  nearly  half 
length  ;  caudal  truncate.         .         .        EUTYCHELITHUS,  2. 

/.  HAPLOIDONOTUS,  Rafinesque.    BUBBLERS. 
=  Amblodon,  Raf. 

1.  H.  grunniens,  Raf.     SHEEPSHEAD  (Lakes),  WHITE 
PERCH,  GRUNTER,  DRUM.     Depth  3  in  length;  head  3£; 
back  elevated  forwards,  and  much  compressed  j    spines 
II 


242  FISHES. 

strong;  first  anai  spine  short;  the  second  very  large, 
attached  to  a  stout  bone;  grayish  silvery,  dusky  above; 
scales  rather  large  and  irregularly  placed,  punctate  with 
black ;  D.  IX  —  I,  30 ;  A.  II,  7 ;  lat.  1.  54.  Great  Lakes, 
Mississippi  Valley,  etc.,  abundant.  (Corvina  oscula  and 
C.  grisea,  of  Authors.) 

2.  H.  concinnus,  (Ag.)  Gill.  TENNESSEE  DRUM.  Stouter; 
profile  steeper;    dorsal  beginning  in  advance  of  edge  of 
pectorals;  very  large,  reaching  a  weight  of  50  Ibs.    Ten- 
nessee R. 

3.  H.  lineatus,  (Ag.)  Gill.     MISSOURI  DRUM.     Similar, 
head  shorter;    profile   less  arched;    scales  with    darker 
edges,  giving  the  body  an  obscurely  striped  appearance; 
very  large.     Osage  R.     This  and  the  preceding  species 
need  confirmation. 

2.  EUTYCHELITHUS,  Jordan.    LAKE  HURON  DRUMS. 

1.  E.  richardsonii,  (C.  &.  V.)  Jordan.  MALASHEGANAY 
LAKE  DRUM.  Head  and  shoulders  much  elevated;  pro- 
file very  steep;  eye  moderate;  mouth  rather  large;  the 
lower  jaw  rather  projecting;  head  nearly  one-third  of 
length;  depth  about  one-half;  anal  spine  stout  (single?), 
one  -  third  shorter  than  the  soft  rays ;  pectorals  pointed, 
much  longer  than  the  ventrals;  opercular  bones  all  finely 
serrated;  greenish  with  dark  bands  on  the  back;  D. 
IX— I,  29;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  54.  Lake  Huron.  A  little 
known  species,  which,  if  correctly  described,  can  not 
belong  to  Haploidonotus,  as  Prof.  Gill  has  shown.  It 
may  be  called  Eutychelithus  (Greek,  eutuches  —  lucky; 
lithos  —  stone),  from  the  large  "  ear  bones,"  which  many 
of  the  members  of  this  family  possess,  and  which  are 
known  to  Wisconsin  boys  as  "  lucky  stones." 


COTTID^. — XCV.  243 

FAMILY  XCV.  — COTTID^E. 

(The  Sculpins.) 

Fishes  with  the  cheeks  mailed  (i.  e.  the  suborbital  bone 
extending  backward  over  the  cheeks,  articulating  with 
the  preopercle) ;  head  broad,  usually  not  externally  bony, 
but  always  more  or  less  spinous;  eyes  high  up,  near 
together;  body  sometimes  scaly,  or  with  a  series  of  bony 
plates,  naked  in  all  our  species;  dorsals  usually  two, 
soft  dorsal  largest;  pectorals  large,  without  detached 
rays;  veiitrals  thoracic,  near  together,  usually  imperfect, 
but  developed  in  all  our  species;  air  bladder  usually 
absent.  Genera  about  twenty ;  species  about  70.  Mostly 
of  the  shores  of  northern  regions;  several  small  species 
abounding  in  the  fresh  waters  of  Europe,  Asia  and  North 
America.  In  habits  these  fresh  water  species  bear  a 
strong  resemblance  to  the  Etheostomoids.  All  of  them 
are  singular  looking  fishes,  and  many  of  the  marine  species 
are  hideous  in  appearance. 

OBS.  —  In  the  measurements  given  below,  the  length  of  the  body 
is  understood  inclusive  of  the  caudal  fin,  not  to  base  of  caudal  as 
in  other  cases. 

*  Second  dorsal  moderately  elevated,  not  remote  from  the  first ; 

preopercle  with  1  to  3  spines. 

f  No  teeth  on  the  palate  (pharyngeal  teeth  present,  as  usual);  ven- 
trals  1, 3;  size  small  (length  2  to  3  inches).     URANIDEA,  1. 
ff  Palate  sometimes  with  teeth ;  ventrals  1, 4 ;  size  usually  larger 
(length  3  to  6  inches).        .        .        .        PEGEDICHTHYS,  2. 
**  Second  dorsal  very  high,  widely  separated  from  the  first ;  pre- 
opercle with  4  needle-like  spines.        •        .       TKIGLOPSIS,  3. 

/.  URANIDEA,  DeKay.     MILLER'S  THUMBS. 
<    Cottus,  Girard. 

*  Slender,  fusiform  species ;  depth  6  to  6i  in  total  length. 

1.  U.  gracilis,  (Heckel)  Putnam.  MILLER'S  THUMB. 
LITTLE  STAR  GAZER.  Tips  of  pectorals  reaching  fourth 


244  FISHES. 

ray  of  second  D.,  and  first  of  anal;  head  4  in  total 
length;  eye  4  in  head;  grayish,  mottled.  D.  VIII — 16; 
A.  11  or  12.  New  England  and  New  York;  the  common 
Eastern  species,  found  "  quiescent "  under  stones,  after 
the  manner  of  the  Darters.  (U.  quiescens,  DeK.)  [U. 
boleoides  (Grd.),  from  Vermont,  is  said  to  be  slenderer, 
and  with  larger  fins.  U.  formosa,  (Grd.)  from  stomachs 
of  Lota,  in  deep  water,  L.  Ontario,  is  more  elongate,  with 
shorter  fins;  it  needs  further  examination.  *  U.  gobioides, 
(Grd.)  is  larger,  much  stouter  and  with  larger  mouth.  It 
is  from  La  Moille  R.,  W.  Vt.]  This  genus  is  not  suffi- 
ciently distinct  from  the  next.  Pegedichthys  is  the  older 
name. 
**  Stouter ;  depth  about  5J  in  total  length. 

2.  U.  viscosa,  (Haldeman)  Cope.     SLIPPERY  MILLER'S 
THUMB.      Pectorals    scarcely   reaching    second    dorsal; 
head   4£   in   total    length;    eye   5  in   head;    body   sub- 
cylindrical,  covered  with  a  viscid  skin;  dusky,  mottled; 
D.  VIII-17;    A.  12.     Streams  of  Penn.,  Md.,  W.  Va., 
etc.  (Youghiogheny  R.,  Jordan),  frequent,  often  found  in 
caves.     (C.  copei,  Abbott.) 

3.  U.   franklini,  (Ag.)  Jordan.      FRANKLIN'S  COTTUS. 
Pectorals  scarcely  reaching  second  dorsal;  first  dorsal 
scarcely  lower  than  second;  head  3f  in  total  length;  eye 
4i  in  head;  D.  VIII— 17;  A.  12.     S.  and  E.  shores  of 
L.  Superior. 

4.  U.  hoyi,  Putnam,  Mss.     HOY'S  BULL -HEAD.     Lake 
Michigan.     Description  not  yet  published. 

2.  PEGEDICHTHYS,  Rafinesque.     SPRING  FISHES. 

=  Potamocottus,  Gill.- 

1.    P.    icfa/urops,    Raf.      CAVE    BULL -HE  AD.      BIG 
MILLER'S  THUMB.     CAT'S  EYE  SPRING  FISH.    GOBLIN. 


xcv.  245 


Head  3£  in  length;  depth  5;  width  of  head  3J;  P. 
reaching  beyond  beginning  of  soft  dorsal  to  anal;  pre- 
opercle  with  a  stout  erect  spine  and  two  smaller  ones 
below;  mouth  wide;  lateral  line  very  distinct,  chain-like, 
sometimes  vanishing  behind,  and  sometimes  not  ! 
Grayish,  mottled,  three  cross-blotches  on  back;  D.  VI 
to  VIII—  16;  A.  12  or  13;  V.  1,  4.  N.  C.  to  Ohio,  Tenn., 
and  Ind.,  abounding  in  many  of  the  streams  issuing  from 
the  caves  in  the  limestone  region;  the  largest  species  of 
the  genus,  reaching  a  length  of  6  inches.  (C.  meridion- 
aliS)  Grd.  P.  carolince.  Gill.) 

2.  P.    richardsonii,    (Ag.)   Jordan.      LAKE   SUPERIOR 
MILLER'S  THUMB.     Pectorals  shorter  than  head,  scarcely 
reaching  second  dorsal;  depth  6  in  total  length;    head 
4i;  eye  5£  in  head;  D.  VIII—  18;  A.  14.     L.  Superior; 
one  of   the  larger  species.     (C.  alvordi,  Grd.,   from  L. 
Huron,    "the   smallest   species"    is  said  to  be    stouter 
(depth  5)  and  to  have  the  pectorals  longer.) 

3.  P.  bairdii,  (Girard)  Jordan.     BAIRD'S  BULL-HEAD. 
Pectorals   long,    reaching   beyond    beginning   of    anal; 
depth  6  to  6J  in  total  length;    spinous  dorsal  very  low, 
with  a  black  bar;    head  4^  in  length;    eye  4  in  head; 
D.  VI  to  VII—  16;  A.  13.     Mahoning  R.,  Ohio;  Baraboo 
R.,  Wis.  (Bundy),  etc.      \C.  wilsoni,  (Grd.)  from  the 
Allegany  R.  is  similar,  but  is  said  to  have  the  spinous 
dorsal   higher,    and    the   upper   rays   of    the    pectorals 
branched.      IT.  spilota,  Cope,  from  Grand  Rapids,  Mich., 
is  similar  but  stouter,  and  D.  VIII  —  17.] 

3.  TRIG  LOPS  IS,  Girard.     LAKE  SCULPINS. 

=  Ptyonotus,  Glinther. 

1.  T.  thorn  psoni,  Grd.  DEEP  WATER  LAKE  SCULPIN. 
Body  elongated;  depth  7  in  total  length;  head  3^;  eyes 
very  large,  4  in  head;  D.  VI  —  18;  A.  15.  Great  Lakes 


246  FISHES. 

(L.  Ontario,  L.  Michigan)  in  deep  water;  till  lately 
known  only  from  remains  found  in  the  stomachs  of  Lake 
Trout  and  Ling. 

FAMILY  XCVL— GOBIID^E. 

(The  Gobies.) 

Body  elongated,  low,  naked  or  scaly;  dorsals  two, 
sometimes  united,  the  spines  flexible  and  less  developed 
than  the  soft  rays;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal;  ventrals 
1,  5  (rarely  1,  4),  sometimes  united,  forming  a  disk;  gill 
openings  narrow;  teeth  generally  small;  a  prominent 
papilla  near  the  vent,  as  in  the  Blennies;  air  bladder 
usually  wanting;  no  pyloric  appendages.  Genera  thirty; 
species  three  hundred  and  twenty-five.  Of  the  seas  of 
temperate  and  tropical  regions,  found  on  the  bottoms 
near  the  shore.  A  few  species  inhabit  both  salt  and 
fresh  water. 
*  Body  naked ;  ventrals  united.  .  .  .  GOBIOSOMA,  1. 

/.  GOBIOSOMA,  Girard.      NAKED  GOBIES. 
1.  G.    mo/estum,   Grd.      Dusky   brown;    head   3J   in 
length;    D.  VII— 12;    A.  12.     Coast  of  Texas,  entering 
rivers.      A  single  specimen  in  the  Museum  of   Oomp. 
Zoology  from  the  Ohio  R.,  near  Louisville  (Putnam). 


SUB-  OEDER.  -  ANACANTHINI. 

(TJie  Jugular  Fishes) 

FAMILY  XCVIL—  GADID^E. 

(The  Cod  Fishes.) 

Body  elongated,  covered  with  small  smooth  scales; 
dorsal  fins  1,  2  or  3,  occupying  most  of  the  back;  rays 
of  posterior  part  well  developed;  vertical  fins  never 


GASTEROSTEID^E. — XCVIH.  247 

entirely  united  (as  in  some  related  families);  ventrals 
jugular,  usually  several-rayed;  gill  openings  wide;  air 
bladder  usually  present;  no  pseudobranchias ;  pyloric 
coeca  usually  in  large  number  (30  or  more  in  Lota). 
Genera  about  twenty  -  five ;  species  about  seventy.  An 
important  family  found  chiefly  in  the  northern  seas;  a 
single  genus  inhabiting  the  lakes  and  larger  streams  of 
the  northern  parts  of  Europe  and  America. 
*  Chin  with  a  barbel ;  dorsals  2 ;  anal  single ;  teeth  villiform. 

LOTA,  1. 
/.  LOTA,  Cuvier.     LINGS. 

1.  L  /acustr/Sf  (Mitch.)  Gill.  LING.  BURBOT.  LAKE 
LAWYER.  EEL-POUT.  LAKE  CUSK.  Dark  olive,  thickly 
marbled  with  blackish,  yellowish  or  dusky  beneath;  head 
broad,  depressed;  body  sub-cylindrical  in  front,  com- 
pressed behind;  upper  jaw  (always?)  longest;  D.  13  —  76; 
A.  68;  V.  7;  length  1^-  to  2%  feet.  Great  Lakes  and 
streams  of  New  England,  north  to  the  Arctic  Circle, 
abundant;  very  rare  in  the  Miss.  Valley.  A  curious  fish, 
rarely  used  for  food,  although  the  livers  are  said  to  be 
delicious.  [L.  maculosa,  (Les.)  Cuv.  L.  compressa^ 
(Les.)  and  L.  brosmiana,  Storer.  L.  inornata^  DeK., 
etc.]  It  is  closely  related  to  the  European  L.  vulgaris^ 
Cuv. 


SUB-OKDER  -HEMIBK  ARCHIL 

(The  Half-Gilled  Fishes.) 
FAMILY  XCVIIL  — GASTEROSTEID^E. 

(The  Sticklebacks) 

Small  fishes  with  the  body  elongated  and  compressed; 
caudal  peduncle  very  slender;  mouth  large  with  the  cleft 
oblique;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws  and  pharyngeals;  bran- 
chiostegals  three;  opercles  unarmed;  sub-orbital  bone 


248  FISHES. 

articulated  with   the   preopercle    ( as   in  Cottidoe^  with 
which  these  fishes  were  formerly  associated) ;  skin  naked 
or  with  bony  plates;    dorsal  preceded  by  two  or  more 
isolated  spines;    ventrals   abdominal,  of  a  stout  spine, 
accompanied  by  a  rudimentary  ray ;  air  bladder  simple ; 
a  few  pyloric  cceca.     Genera  about  four;  species  twenty- 
five  or  less,  in  fresh  waters  and  arms  of  the  sea  in  north- 
ern Europe  and  America. 
*  Dorsal  with  2  to  6  free  spines. 
f  Sides  mailed ;  a  serrated  bony  ventral  cuirass  and  usually  a 

bony  caudal  keel GASTEROSTEUS,  1. 

ft  Sides  naked ;  no  caudal  keel ;  ventral  cuirass  reduced,  not 

serrated. 

\  Dorsal  spines  not  in  a  right  line  when  erected,  the  anterior 

ones  highest;    ventral  plates  2  —  not  on  median  line; 

caudal  peduncle  very  slender.         .         .        APELTES,  2. 

\\  Dorsal  spines  in  the  same  line,  the  lowest  in  front ;  ventral 

plate  single,  on  the  middle  line  of  abdomen ;   caudal 

peduncle  stouter EUCALIA,  3. 

**  Dorsal  spines  7  or  more ;  sides  mailed  or  not.       PYGOSTEUS,  4. 

/.  GASTEROSTEUS,  Linnaeus.      MAILED  STICKLEBACKS. 
1.  G.  noveboracensis,  C.  &  V.     NEW  YORK  STICKLE- 
BACK.    Maine  to  Cape  Hatteras,  coastwise;  sometimes 
ascending  streams. 

2.  APELTES,  DeKay.     NAKED  STICKLEBACKS. 

<  GasterosteuS)  L. 

1.  A.  quadracus,   (Mitch.)   Brevoort.     FOUR-SPINED 
STICKLEBACK.     Abundant,  with  the  preceding. 

3.  EUCALIA,  Jordan.      NEST  -  BUILDING    STICKLEBACKS. 

<  Apeltes^  Authors. 

1.  E.  inconstans,  (Kirtland)  Jordan.    BROOK  STICKLE- 
BACK.    OHIO  STICKLEBACK.     Head  about  3^  in  length ; 


GASTEROSTEID^. — XCVIII.  249 

depth  nearly  4 ;  spines  rather  low;  ventral  spine  about 
equal  to  eye;  color  olivaceous,  marbled  with  darker; 
males  in  spring  jet  black,  finely  punctate;  D.  Ill  to 
V — I,  10;  A.  I,  10;  length  2%  inches.  Ohio  to  Minne- 
sota and  Kansas,  chiefly  northward;  abundant  in  sluggish 
streams;  an  interesting  species,  remarkable  for  its  pug- 
nacity and  for  its  nest-building  habits. 

Var.  pygmcBCt,  ( Agassiz )  Jordan.  L.  SUPERIOR 
STICKLEBACK.  Depth  3f  in  length;  head  3£;  caudal 
peduncle  short  and  stout;  body  shorter  and  deeper  than 
the  preceding;  vent  much  nearer  tip  of  caudal  than 
snout;  color  similar;  D.  Ill  or  IV — I,  6;  A.  I,  6.  L. 
Superior. 

Var.  cayuga,  Jordan.  CAYUGA  LAKE  STICKLEBACK. 
Head  3^  in  length;  depth  4^;  spines  all  high;  caudal 
peduncle  slender;  vent  much  nearer  snout  than  tip  of 
caudal;  D.  IV— I,  10;  A.  1,  10.  Cayuga  L.,  N.  Y., 
dredged  in  deep  water  (  Wilder).  Probably  this  and  the 
preceding  are  varieties  of  the  variable  E.  inconstans, 
Length  1J  inches. 

4.  PYGOSTEUS,  Brevoort.    MANY-SPINED  STICKLEBACK. 

1.  P.  occidentalis,  (C.  &  V.)  Brevoort.     TEN-SPINED 
STICKLEBACK.     Coastwise,  abundant;  sometimes  ascend- 
ing streams. 

2.  P.  nebulosus,  (Ag.)  Jordan.     MANY-SPINED  LAKE 
STICKLEBACK.     Head  3^  in  length;    ventral  spine  long; 
caudal  keeled;    sides  not  mailed;  D.  IX  — 10;  A.  I,  8. 
Great  Lakes  (scarcely  distinct  from  preceding.) 

3.  P.  mainensis,  (Storer)  Brev.     MAINE  STICKLEBACK. 
Sides  with  a  serrated  plate ;  body  banded;  D.  VII  —  I,  9 ; 
A.  I,  8.     Kennebec  R.,  Maine. 


250  PISHES. 

STJB-OBDEB.  -PEECESOCES. 

(The  Silversides.) 

FAMILY  XCIX.  — ATHERINID^E. 

(The  Silversides.) 

Body  elongated,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered 
with  rather  small  cycloid  scales;  sides  with  a  bright, 
distinct  silvery  band  in  all  known  species;  dorsal  spines 
flexible  and  feeble;  teeth  small,  numerous.  Small,  car- 
nivorous fishes  of  warm  regions,  usually  swimming  in 
schools  near  the  shore;  a  few  species  in  permanently 
fresh  water.  Genera  about  five;  species  forty -five. 
Besides  the  following  strictly  inland  species,  the  common 
Dotted  Silverside  [Chirostoma  notatum  (Mitch.)  Gill] 
ascends  rivers  from  the  sea. 

*  Mouth  v.ery  oblique ;  the  upper  jaw  plane  above,  concave  within ; 
the  lower  jaw  correspondingly  convex,  the  protractile  inter- 
rnaxillaries  forming  a  peculiar  roof-like  beak. 

LABIDESTHES,  1. 

/.  LABIDESTHES,  Cope.     RIVER  SILVERSIDES. 

1.  L  sicculus,  Cope.  SILVER  SKIP -JACK.  RIVER 
SILVERSIDE.  Depth  6  in  length;  head  4J;  eye  3^  in 
head;  anal  long,  nearly  one-third  of  length  of  body; 
scales  small;  pale  olive,  translucent,  dotted  with  black, 
the  silver  lateral  band  very  distinct;  D.  IV — 11; 
A.  I,  23;  lat.  1.  75;  length  3  to  4  inches.  Western 
streams  and  ponds,  Mich,  to  Ills,  and  Tenn.;  abundant 
where  found,  but  not  noticed  till  comparatively  lately. 
A  very  slender  and  elegant  species  of  delicate  organism. 
The  peculiar  "  duck-like  muzzle "  is  said  to  resemble 
that  of  some  Cyprinodonts,  especially  the  Central 
American  Belonesox. 


CYPRINODONTHLE. — C.  251 

SUB  -  OEDER — HAPLOML 

(The  Toothed  Minnows.) 

FAMILY  C.  — CYPRINODONTID^E. 

(TJie  Cyprinodonts.) 

Head  and  body  scaly;  no  barbels;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  only;  teeth  in  both  jaws 
and  on  pharyngeals  well  developed;  dorsal  fin  far  back; 
caudal  usually  rounded;  no  adipose  fin;  lateral  line  rudi- 
mentary; air  bladder  simple;  no  pyloric  cceca;  head 
more  or  less  flattened  above,  the  lower  jaw  usually 
longer;  sexes  commonly  unlike,  the  female  larger;  anal 
of  male  often  modified  into  a  sword  -  shaped  intromittent 
organ;  chiefly  viviparous. 

Small  fishes  of  fresh  or  brackish  waters  in  both  con- 
tinents; most  abundant  in  warm  regions.  Genera  twenty- 
five;  species  one  hundred  and  twenty.  A  recently  dis- 
covered Cyprinodont  (Protistius,  Cope.)  from  S.  A.  is 
said  to  have  a  rudimentary  spinous  dorsal  fin,  indicating  a 
close  relationship  between  this  family  and  the  Percesoces. 

Our  numerous  species  are  not  well  known,  and  the 
current  genera  are  but  indifferently  characterized.  One 
species  ( Girardinm  formosus)  from  S.  C.  and  Florida  is 
said  to  be  the  smallest  known  vertebrate.  The  species 
here  mentioned  are  carnivorous  surface  swimmers;  many 
southern  species  feed  on  mud  arid  slime. 

*  Dorsal  fin  commencing  distinctly  before  anal ;  brancliiostegals 
about  5 FUNDULUS,  1. 

**  Dorsal  fin  short,  commencing  behind  or  opposite  the  elongate 
anal ;  branchiostegals  about  3.  .  .  ZYGONECTES,  2. 

/.  FUHDULUS,  Lacepede.     KILLIFISHES. 
1.    F.    diaphanus,    (Les.)    Ag.      BARRED    KILLIFISH. 
SPRING  MUMMICHO&.     Sides  silvery  olive,  with  twelve 


252  FISHES. 

to  fifteen  distinct,  narrow,  blackish,  vertical  bars  ;  head 
rather  narrow;  D.  13;  A.  12;  lat.  1.  42.  Coastwise, 
abundant,  but  ascending  streams  to  their  sources,  hence 
found  in  clear  springs  as  far  inland  as  Mich.  (Cope), 
Wisconsin  (Copeland),  Illinois,  Colorado  (Yarrow), 
etc.  \F.  midtifasciatuSi  (Les. )  Val.]  Various  marine 
species  of  this  genus,  as  well  as  of  Cyprinodon,  Hydrar- 
gyra  and  Micristius  are  sometimes  found  in  fresh  waters 
near  the  coast. 

2.  ZYGONECTES,  Agassiz.    TOP  MINNOWS. 
<  Haplochilus,  Giinther. 
X  Hydrargyra,  Pcecilia  and  Fundulus  of  Authors. 

1.  Z.  olivaceus,  (Stor.)   Ag.      BLACK -SIDED    KILLI- 
FISH.      TOP    MINNOW.      Depth  4|  in  length;    head  4; 
head  broad,  depressed;  clear  pale  olive  with  a  few  dots 
above;  a  wide  purplish-black  band  along  sides  from  snout 
through  eye  to  caudal,  its  margin  usually  serrated;  D.  9; 
A.  11;  lat.  1.  34;  length  2^-  inches.     Miss.  Valley;  abun- 
dant.    (Z.  pulchellus  and   tenellus,   Grd.     F.  aureus, 
Cope,  etc.) 

2.  Z.  notiii,  Agassiz.      STRIPED    TOP    MINNOW.      A 
broad  band  and  several   dotted  lines  along  sides;  the 
darker  continuous  bands  alternating  with  fainter  inter- 
rupted ones;  males  transversely  banded;  silvery  below. 
Mississippi  Valley  and  Southern  streams. 

3.  Z.  melanops,   (Cope)    Jordan.      Yellowish   brown; 
belly  golden;  a  black  spot  below  eye;  fins  dotted;  D.  G; 
A.  8;  lat.  1.  31.     Neuse  R. 

4.  Z.  catenates,  (Storer)  Jordan.     STUD  FISH.     MAY 
FISH.     Pale  steel  blue,  sides  with  series  of  bright  bronze 
spots,  forming  very  distinct  longitudinal  streaks;    head 
with  bright  green  stripes;  throat  and  bars  on  dorsal  and 


UMBRIDJE. — 01.  253 

anal  bright  orange;  D.  14;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  44;  length  6 
inches.  Tenn.  R.;  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  family. 
Tt  probably  does  not  belong  to  this  genus,  but  it  is  equally 
unlike  Fundulm^  Hydrargyra  and  Pcecilia,  to  all  of 
which  genera  it  has  been  referred. 

FAMILY  CI.  —  UMBRIDJ3. 

(The  Mud  Minnows) 

Small  fishes  like  the  Cyprinodonts  in  most  respects, 
but  with  the  mouth  different;  margin  of  upper  jaw 
formed  by  the  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  the  max- 
illaries  laterally;  head  and  body  scaly;  no  lateral  line; 
scales  moderate,  cycloid;  lower  jaw  longest;  dorsal  far 
.back;  caudal  fin  rounded;  gill  openings  wide;  teeth 
villiform  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines.  Genus  one  (or 
two) ;  (Melanura  has  never  been  properly  distinguished 
from  Umbra);  species  two,  Umbra  crameri  of  Austria 
and  the  following.  Both  are  found  in  sluggish  brooks 
in  mud  or  among  weeds.  "  A  locality  which,  with  the 
water  perfectly  clear,  will  appear  destitute  of  fish,  will 
perhaps  yield  a  number  of  mud  fish  on  stirring  up  the 
mud  at  the  bottom  and  drawing  a  seine  through  it. 
Ditches  in  the  prairies  of  Wisconsin,  or  mere  bog-holes, 
apparently  affording  lodgment  to  nothing  beyond  tad- 
poles, may  thus  be  found  filled  with  Melanuras" 
(Baird.) 

1.  MELANURA,  Agassiz.      MUD  MINNOWS. 

<  Umbra,  Giinther. 

1.  M.  limi,  (Kirtland)  Agassiz.  MUD  MINNOW.  MUD 
DACE.  DOG  FISH.  Depth  about  4  in  length;  head  3J; 
head  rather  large,  flattish  above ;  greenish  or  dark  olive ; 
sides  with  narrow  pale  bars,  often  obscure;  a  distinct 
black  bar  at  base  of  caudal;  D.  14;  A.  9;  V.  6;  lat.  1. 


254  FISHES. 

35;  length  2  to  4  inches.  New  Jersey  to  Minnesota, 
chiefly  northward  and  westward;  most  abundant  in  Wis- 
consin; rare  in  Ohio  Valley;  usually  associated  with 
Eucalia  inconstans. 

FAMILY  GIL  — ESOCIDJE. 

(The  Pikes.) 

Body  elongated,  sub-cylindrical,  with  rather  small 
scales;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries 
mesially  and  by  .the  maxillaries  laterally;  mouth  very 
large;  jaws  elongate,  depressed;  teeth  strong,  hooked, 
unequal,  on  intermaxillaries,  vomer  and  palatines;  dorsal 
short,  opposite  anal;  gill  openings  wide;  air  bladder 
present.  Voracious  fishes  of  the  fresh  waters  of  north- 
ern regions,  two  or  three  of  the  species  reaching  a  large 
size.  With  a  single  exception  (E.  lucius,  L.  the  Pike 
of  Europe  and  Asia)  all  the  species  belong  to  the  U.  S., 
and  our  E.  estor  is  perhaps  identical  with  E.  lucius. 

Genus  one  (or  two) ;  species  five  to  twenty;  the  follow- 
ing seem  to  be  well  characterized;  many  others  have 
been  described  and  some  of  them  may  be  good,  but  that 
has  yet  to  be  proven.  It  maybe  convenient  to  recognize 
the  sub-genus  Picorellus,  proposed  long  ago  by  Rafin- 
esque. 

*  Lower  half  of  opercles  scaleless ;  cheeks  scaly  or  not ;  species 
of  large  size;  grayish  blue  in  color,  with  round  whitish 
spots Esox,  1. 

**  Cheeks  and  opercles  entirely  scaly;  size  smaller;  color  olive 
green,  with  darker  bars  or  reticulations ;  a  black  vertical  bar 
below  the  eye PICORELLUS,  2. 

• 

/.  ESOX,  Linnaeus.     PIKES. 

1.  E.  nobilior,  Thompson.  MUSKALLUNGE.  GREAT 
PIKE.  Cheeks  as  well  as  opercles  half  bare;  grayish 


ESOCITLE. — on.  255 

with  round  white  spots;  a  magnificent  fish,  reaching  a 
length  of  6  feet;  B.  19;  D.  19  to  21;  A.  20;  lat.  1.  155. 
Great  Lakes,  etc.  (E.  estor  of  some  authors.) 

2.  £.  lucius,  L.,  var.  estor,  (LeSueur.)  GREAT  LAKE 
PIKE.  NORTHERN  PICKEREL.  Cheeks  entirely  scaly; 
depth  7  in  length;  head  3£;  olive  gray;  sides  with  round 
yellowish  spots  as  large  as  peas;  each  scale  with  a  shining 
V-shaped  mark  opening  downwards;  B.  15;  D.  20;  A.  17; 
lat.  1.  122.  Great  Lakes  and  headwaters  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. A  fine  species  reaching  a  length  of  3  to  4  feet. 
(E.  lucius,  lucioides,  boreus,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

2.  PICORELLUS,   Rafinesque.     PICKERELS. 

*  Branch iostegals  14  to  16;   snout  prolonged;   front  of  eye  nearly 
midway  in  head. 

1.  P.  reticu/afus,  (LeSueur)  Jordan.     COMMON  EAST- 
ERN PICKEREL.     GREEN  PIKE.     Head  3^  in  length;  the 
snout  much  prolonged;    front  of  eye  about  midway  in 
head;    eye  more  than  three  times  in  snout;    green,  sides 
with  a  network  of  brown  streaks;    B.  14  to  16;  D.  16  to 
18;  A.  15  to  17;  lat.  1.  120  to  130.     Streams  of  Atlantic 
States  abundant,  but  not  found  far  in  the  interior;  smaller 
than   the   preceding,  but   much   larger   than  the  next. 
Represented  S.  of  Va.  by  P.  affinis.  (Holbr.) 

**  Branchiostegals  normally  12;  front  of  eye  nearer  tip  of  snout. 

2.  P.  americanus,  (Lac.)  Jordan.     BANDED  PICKEREL. 
TROUT  PICKEREL.      Head  ,3f  in  length,  the  snout  much 
shorter  than  in  the  preceding;    eye  much  nearer  snout 
than  opercular  margin,  its  diameter  less  than  3  in  snout; 
dark  green;    sides  with  about  twenty  distinct  blackish 
curved  bars,  scarcely  reticulated;  B.  12;  D.  13;  A.  13; 
lat.  1. 100;  length  scarcely  a  foot.     Atlantic  streams,  with 


256  FISHES. 

the  preceding.  (E.  niger,  scomberius,  fasciatus  and 
ornatus  of  authors.)  Represented  S.  of  Va.  by  P.  ra- 
venelii.  (Holbr.) 

3.  P.  salmoneus,  (Raf.)  Jordan.  LITTLE  PICKEREL. 
WESTERN  TROUT  PICKEREL.  Size  and  general  form  of 
preceding  or  slenderer;  olivaceous  green  above;  white 
below;  sides  with  many  reticulations  and  curved  streaks, 
instead  of  bars;  a  black  streak  in  front  of  eye  as  well  as 
below;  B.12;  D.  13;  A.  14;  lat.  1. 112.  Western  streams, 
abundant  in  the  Ohio  Valley.  (E.  cypho^  E.  porosus^ 
Cope,  etc.)  (E.  umbrosus,  Kirtland.)  Resembles  reticu- 
latus  more  than  americanus. 

FAMILY  CIIL— AMBLYOPSID^E. 

(TJie  Cave  Fishes.) 

Fishes  with  the  ventral  fins  rudimentary  or  wanting; 
the  vent  jugular,  in  front  of  the  pectorals,  and  the  eyes 
sometimes  rudimentary  and  concealed  under  the  skin; 
margins  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone; 
head  naked;  body  with  small,  cycloid  scales,  irregularly 
arranged;  no  lateral  line;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws  and 
palate;  dorsal  far  back,  opposite  anal;  stomach  coecal, 
with  pyloric  appendages;  some  (and  probably  all)  vivi- 
parous. 

Fishes  of  small  size  living  in  subterranean  streams  and 
ditches  of  the  central  and  southern  U.  S.  Three  genera 
and  four  species  are  "  all  of  the  family  yet  known,  but 
that  others  will  be  discovered  and  the  range  of  the 
present  known  species  extended  is  very  probable.  The 
ditches  and  small  streams  of  the  lowlands  of  our  South- 
ern Coast  will  undoubtedly  be  found  to  be  the  home  of 
numerous  individuals,  and  perhaps  of  new  species  and 
genera,  while  the  subterranean  streams  of  the  central 


AMBLYOPSHXE. — CIII.  257 

portion  of  our  country  most  likely  contain  other  species." 

(Putnam.) 

*  Eyes  rudimentary,  concealed  under  the  skin ;  body  colorless. 

Ventrals  present,  small.        .        .        .      AMBLYOPSIS,  1. 

Ventrals  entirely  wanting.      .        .       TYPHLICHTHYS,  2. 
**  Eyes  well  developed ;  body  colored ;  no  ventrals. 

CHOLOGASTER,  3. 

/.  AMBLYOPSIS,  DeKay.     LARGER  BLIND  FISH. 

1.  A.  spel&us,  DeKay.  BLIND  FISH  OF  THE  MAM- 
MOTH CAVE.  Head  3  in  length;  D.  and  A.  equal,  well 
developed;  head  and  body  with  papillary  ridges;  scales 
small;  colorless;  D.  10;  A.  9;  V.  4;  P.  11;  length  2  to 
5  inches.  Subterranean  streams  of  Ky.  and  Iiid.  Mam- 
moth Cave,  Wyandot  Cave,  etc. 

2.   TYPHLICHTHYS,  Girard.     SMALL  BLIND  FISH. 

1.  T.  subterraneus,  Grd.  General  character  of  Am- 
blyopsis,  but  the  head  rather  blunter  and  broader  for- 
wards; D.  7  or  8;  A.  7  or  8;  P.  12;  length  2  inches  or 
less.  Subterranean  streams  in  Ky.,  Tenn.,  Ala. 

3.  CHOLOGASTER,  Agassiz.     DITCH  FISHES. 

1.  C.  cornutus,  Ag.     Head  3  in  length;  eye  moderate, 
well  developed;    snout  with  two  horn-like  projections; 
yellowish  brown,  dark  above;  sides  with  three  dark  lines, 
becoming  dots  on  the  tail;    middle  rays  of  C.  dark,  fins 
otherwise  uncolored;  D.  8  or  9;  A.  8  or  9;  P.  12;  length 
2  to  2 \  inches.     Ditches  in  a  rice  field,  Waccamaw,  S.  C. 
Three  specimens  known. 

2.  C.  agassizii,    Putnam.      Head   4   in  length;    eyes 
larger;  uniform  light  brown,  otherwise  as  above;  length 
1  to  2  inches.     Subterranean  streams  in  Tenn.  and  Ky. 

17 


258  FISHES. 

SUB  -  OEDER  -  ISOSPOND  YLL 

(The  Trout-like  Fishes.) 

FAMILY  CIV.— PERCOPSID^E.       . 

(The  Trout  Perches.} 

Body  covered  with  moderate-sized  ctenoid  scales;  head 
naked;  no  barbels;  opercles  well  developed;  gill  open- 
ings wide;  an  adipose  fin;  jaws  with  villiform  teeth;  no 
teeth  on  vomer  or  palate;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  intermaxillaries  alone ;  branchiostegals  six.  A  single 
genus  and  one  or  two  species  inhabiting  the  fresh  waters 
of  the  northern  U.  S.  Interesting  little  fishes,  with  the 
general  characters  of  Salmonidoe^  but  having  the  mouth 
and  scales  decidedly  Perch-like. 

/.  PERCOPSIS,  Agassiz.  TROUT  PERCHES. 
1.  P.  guitatus,  Ag.  Depth  4J  in  length;  head  3f; 
silvery,  almost  pellucid;  upper  parts  with  rounded  dark 
spots  made  up  of  minute  dots;  D.  11;  A.  7;  L.  10. 
Great  Lakes;  Ohio  R.  (Jordan)',  Potomac  R.  (Baird}\ 
Delaware  R.  (Abbott.) 

FAMILY  CV.  — SALMONID^E. 

(The  Trout.) 

Head  naked,  body  scaly,  no  barbels;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  maxil- 
laries  laterally;  adipose  fin  present;  belly  rounded;  air 
bladder  large,  simple;  pseudobranchke  present;  pyloric 
appendages  usually  numerous;  eggs  falling  into  the 
cavity  of  the  abdomen  before  exclusion.  Fresh  waters 
of  northern  regions,  many  species  periodically  descend- 
ing to  the  sea;  a  few  permanently  marine. 

Genera  sixteen ;  species  one  hundred  and  sixty.     The 


SALMONID^E. — CV.  259 

variations  due  to  age,  sex  and  food  are  very  great,  and 
have  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  great  number  of  nomi- 
nal species  in  all  the  leading  genera,  particularly  in 
Salmo. 

*  Jaws  with  evident  teeth. 

f  Dorsal  moderate  of  less  than  20  rays;  teeth  strong,  on  jaws, 

vomer  and  tongue. 

\  Scales  small ;   partly  imbedded  in  the  skin ;  lat.  1.  100  or 
more SALMO,  1. 

\\  Scales  moderate,  deciduous,  not  imbedded ;  lat.  1. 60  to  70. 

OSMERUS,  2. 
ft  Dorsal  veiy  high  of  20  or  more  rays ;  teeth  small. 

THYMALLUS,  3. 
**  Teeth  wanting  or  reduced  to  slight  roughnesses ;  scales  rather 

large,  loose. 

a.  Lower  jaw  longer  than  upper,  or  if  not,  body  slender,  sub- 
fusiform ARGYROSOMUS,  4. 

CM.  Upper  jaw  notably  longest;  body  more  or  less  elevated. 

COREGONUS,  5. 

/.  SALMO,  Linnaeus.     SALMONS. 

>  SalmO)  Fario,  Salar^  Trutta,  Umbla^  Hucho,  Sal- 
velini)  etc.,  of  Authors. 

*  Anadromous  species,  running  up  from  the  sea  into  fresh  water 

to  spawn ;  the  young  remaining  there  for  a  time,  then  return- 
ing to  the  sea  where  they  remain  except  during  the  season 
of  reproduction;  upper  jaw  in  males  moderately  if  at  all 
hooked.  (Salmo.) 

1.  5.  salar,  L.  GREAT  SEA  SALMON.  No  red  spots; 
young  (Parr.  Smolt)  with  dusky  cross  bars;  males  in 
the  spawning  season  with  the  lower  jaw  strongly  re- 
curved and  hooked;  body  covered  with  black  and  red 
patches;  others  silvery,  with  small  black  dots;  eleven  or 
twelve  scales  in  a  transverse  series  from  behind  the  adi- 


260  FISHES. 

pose  fin  obliquely  forward  to  the  lateral  line;  D.  14;  A. 
11;  lat.  1.  120.  Northern  Europe  and  America,  S.  to 
Cape  Cod. 

**  Species  not  auadromous,  living  entirely  in  fresh  water  or  only 

occasionally  passing  down  to  the  sea.    (Trout.) 
f  In  flowing  fresh  water,  retiring  to  deeper  places  in  winter ; 
red-spotted.  (Hucho — part.) 

2.  S.  fontina/iSf  Mitchill.     BROOK  TROUT.     SPECKLED 
TROUT.     Mouth  wide;  teeth  moderate;  body  olivaceous, 
variegated   with    blackish,    with   numerous    red   spots; 
lower  fins  usually  orange  with  black  and  white  marginal 
bands;  dorsal  with  black  spots;  colors  variable;  young 
barred;  D.  12;  A.  12;  lat.  1.  200.      A  well  known  and 
beautiful  fish,  in  clear  brooks  from  the  French  Broad  R. 
to  the  Arctic  regions. 

f  f  In  deep  rivers  or  lakes,  ascending  shallow  streams  to  spawn. 
a.  Red-spotted. 

3.  S.  oquassa,  Grd.     BLUE -BACK  TROUT.     OQUASSA. 
Slender,  "the  most  graceful  of  all  the  trouts;"    blue  or 
bluish  above;  sides  and  below  silvery  in  female,  orange 
in  male;  sides  spotted  with  orange  in  both  sexes;  upper 
fins  bluish,  bordered  with  orange ;  lower  fins  fiery  orange, 
margined  with  white.     Oquassa  L.  and  other  lakes  in 
Maine. 

aa.  Black-spotted. 

4.  5.  sebago,  Grd.      SEBAGO  LAKE  TROUT.      UNIOX 
RIVER  TROUT.     Everywhere  black-spotted;  scales  quite 
large;    D.   14;    A.   10;    V.   10;  lat.  1.  115.     Sebago  L., 
Union  R.,  and  other  waters  in  Maine.     (S.  gloveri,  Grd.) 

fff  Trout  living  in  deep  fresh  water  lakes,  coming  to  the  shores 
to  spawn  in  shallow  water ;  never  entering  running  brooks 
or  passing  to  the  sea.  (Trutta.) 

5.  S.  namaycush,  Pennant.  MACKINAW  TROUT.  GREAT 
LAKE  TROUT.   ..  Stout;    head  very  large,  3^  in  length; 


261 


bones  of  head  strong;  posterior  point  of  juncture  of 
opercle  and  sub-opercle  much  nearer  the  upper  end  of 
the  gill  opening  than  to  the  lower  anterior  angle  of  the 
sub-opercle;  teeth  strong;  fins  large,  the  caudal  deeply 
forked;  color  grayish,  more  or  less  spotted,  varying  much 
with  circumstances;  D.  13  to  14;  A.  12;  V.  9;  lat.  1. 
220  length  2  to  6  feet.  All  the  Great  Lakes,  north  to 
the  Arctic  Sea;  a  fish  of  much  firmer  flesh  than  the  next. 
(S.  amethystus,  Mit.) 

6.  S.  siscowet,   Agassiz.      SISCOWET.      L.    SUPERIOR 
TROUT.     Stout;    head   smaller,  4^  in  length;    posterior 
point  of  junction  of  opercle  and  sub-opercle  nearer  to 
the  lower  anterior  angle  of  sub-opercle  than  to  the  upper 
end  of  gill  opening;    fins  and  teeth  well  developed  but 
weaker  than  in  S.  namaycush  •    ventrals  farther  back; 
caudal  less  forked;  flesh  fat  and  not  firm;    grayish,  with 
round  white  spots  and  markings;    D.  12  to  14;    A.  12; 
lat.  1.  200.     L.  Superior,  L.  Huron. 

7.  S.  confinis,    Mit.     -LAKE   TROUT    OF   NEW  YORK. 
Blackish,  with  gray  spots;    body  unusually  short  and 
thick.     Lakes  of  Central  and  Western  N.  Y.  ;  a  doubtful 
species. 

8.  S.  symmetrica,  Prescott.     WINNIPISEOGEE  TROUT. 
Grayish  and  brown  above,  marbled  with  darker;  white 
below;    body  unusually  slender  and  symmetrical.     Lake 
Winnipiseogee  ;  also  a  doubtful  species. 

2.  OSMERUS,  Linnaeus.  SMELTS. 
1.  0.  mordax,  (Mit.)  Gill.  COMMON  SMELT.  Head 
4  in  length;  eye  4  to  4^  in  head;  teeth  stout,  especially 
large  on  the  tongue;  transparent  greenish,  a  silvery  band 
along  sides;  scales  very  loose;  D.  11;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  66. 
Coast,  Nova  Scotia  to  Virginia;  also  "land-locked"  in 
fresh  water  ponds  in  Maine,  etc.  (O.  wridescens,  Mit.) 


262  FISHES. 

Var.  spectrum,  (Cope)  Jordan.  LAND-LOCKED  SMELT. 
Head  4£  in  length;  eye  large,  3  in  head;  depth  8^  in 
length.  Wilton  Pond,  Maine. 

Var.  abbottii,  (Cope)  Jordan.  ABBOTT'S  SMELT.  Head 
;4f  in  length;  eye  4^  in  head;  depth  7  in  length;  colors 
dark;  lat.  1.  68.  Cobessicontic  L.,  Maine. 

3.  THYMALLUS,  Cuvier.     GRAYLINGS. 

1.  T.  tricolor,  Cope.  MICHIGAN  GRAYLING.  Depth 
4f  in  length ;  head  about  the  same ;  purplish  gray,  silvery 
below;  dorsal  with  rosy  markings  and  rows  of  green  or 
blue  spots;  D.  27;  A.  13;  lat.  1.  97.  Waters  of  the 
north  part  of  the  S.  peninsula  of  Michigan;  a  beautiful 
fish. 

4.  ARGYROSOMUS,  Agassiz.     SISCOES. 
*  Body  snb-fusiform ;  depth  4  to  5  iii  length. 

1.  A.  clupeiformis,    (Mitch.)    Ag.      LAKE    HERRING. 
MICHIGAN  HERRING.     Head  4f  in  length   (4^  to  5^); 
depth  4  (3|  to  4£);    eye  4  in  head;    maxillary  3J  to  3f ; 
mandible  2J;  scales  rather  large  and  loose;  bluish  above, 
silvery  on  sides  and  below;    D.   12;    A.  13;    lat.  1.  7G; 
length  12  to  18  inches.     Great  Lakes,  etc.,  very  abun- 
dant; a  shallow  water  species.     (Coregonus  albus,  artedi^ 
luciduS)  harengus,  etc.  of  authors.) 

2.  A.  sisco,    Jordan.      Sisco   OF   LAKE   TIPPECANOE. 
Head  4-J;  depth  4^;  eye  3|  in  head;  maxillary  3£;  man- 
dible 2-J;  longest  dorsal  ray  three  times  length  of  shortest; 
steel  blue  above,  sides  silvery  but  without  the  clear  lustre 
of  A.  hoyi,  finely  punctate;    D.  11;    A.  13;    lat.  1.  84. 
Lakes  of  Indiana  and  Wisconsin,  living  in  deep  water 
except  at  the  spawning  season;  very  close  to  the  preced- 
ing, of  which  it  is  probably  a  variety,  but  the  habits  are 
more  like  those  of  the  next. 


HYODONTIDJ3. — CVI.  263 

3.  A.  nigripinnis,   Gill.      BLACK    FIN.      Head  44^  in 
length;  depth  the  same;  eye  4  in  head;  body  compressed; 
fins  blackish,  darker  than  in  the  others;    D.  12;    A.  12; 
lat.  1.  80;    length   16  to   18   inches;    a  much  larger  fish 
than  the  preceding  or  the  next.     Lake  Michigan,  in  deep 
water. 

4.  A.  hoyi,  Gill.     Sisco  OF  LAKE  MICHIGAN.     Head  4 
in  length;    depth  4^;    eye  large,  3f  in  head;    maxillary 
2f;    mandible  2;    longest  ray  of  dorsal  four  times  the 
length  of  the  shortest;  upper  jaw  somewhat  projecting, 
the  mouth  appearing  much  as   in   Coregonus  •    bluish 
above,  sides  lustrous  silvery,  more  brilliant  than  in  any 
other  species;   D.  11;  A.  12;    lat.  1.  74;    length  8  inches. 
Smallest  and  handsomest  of  the   Siscoes,  in  the  deep 
waters  of  the  Upper  Lakes. 

**  Body  elevated ;  depth  about  3  in  length. 

5.  A.  tu//ibee,  (Rich.)  Ag.      TULLIBEE.     Head  4|  in 
length;  D.  15;  A.  15;  lat.  1.  77.     L.  Superior  and  N. 

5.  COREGONUS,  Linnaeus.  WHITE  FISHES. 
1.  C.  a/bus,  LeSueur.  LAKE  WHITE  FISH.  Depth 
3J  in  length;  head  small,  5^;  eye  4  in  head,  about  as 
long  as  snout;  form  varying  much  with  age,  sex  and 
food;  pale  olive  above;  sides  white;  D.  13;  A.  13;  lat. 
1.  75  to  86.  Great  Lakes  and  bodies  of  water  tributary 
to  them,  north  to  the  Arctic  Sea.  (Various  other  species 
have  been  described  within  our  limits,  but  it  is  impossible 
to  distinguish  them.) 

FAMILY  CVI.— HYODONTID^E. 

(The  Moon  Eyes) 

Body  much  compressed,  covered  with  large,  silvery 
cycloid  scales;  head  naked;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  maxillaries  laterally; 


264  FISHES. 

no  barbels;  no  adipose  fin;  lateral  line  distinct;  abdo- 
men not  serrated,  compressed;  moderate  sized  teeth  on 
jaws,  vomer,  sphenoid,  hyoid,  pterygoid  and  palatine 
bones;  tongue  with  large  teeth;  head  short,  deep;  eye 
very  large;  gill  openings  wide;  one  pyloric  appendage; 
air  bladder  simple.  A  single  species,  inhabiting  our 
Western  Streams  and  the  Great  Lakes. 

/.  HYODON,  LeSueur.     MOON  EYES. 

1.  H.  tergisus,  LeSueur.  MOON  EYE.  SILVER  BASS. 
TOOTHED  HERRING.  Depth  374  in  length;  head  4f; 
snout  rounded,  shorter  than  the  large  eye,  which  is  3^  in 
head;  scales  largest  on  the  flanks;  pale  olivaceous  above, 
sides  brilliantly  -silvery;  D.  3,  12;  A.  30;  V.  7;  lat.  1. 
59;  length  1  foot.  Great  Lakes  and  Mississippi  Valley 
abundant;  one  of  our  most  beautiful  fresh  water  fishes; 
variable;  it  has  been  described  under  many  names. 

FAMILY  CVIL  — CLUPEID^E. 

(The  Herrings.) 

Body  scaly;  head  naked;  abdomen  compressed  to  an 
edge  and  sharply  serrated;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  maxillaries  laterally; 
maxillaries  composed  of  three  pieces  which  are  some- 
times movable;  teeth  usually  minute  or  wanting ;  dorsal 
moderate;  anal  often  very  long;  scales  usually  large  and 
loose;  no  lateral  line;  gills  well  developed;  posterior 
part  of  tongue  usually  provided  on  each  side  with  a  row 
of  conspicuous  "  gill  rakers  "  ;  gill  openings  wide. 

In  most  seas,  many  species  entering  fresh  water  to 
spawn,  a  few  remaining  permanently.  As  here  restricted, 
there  are  about  twelve  genera,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  species.  Many  are  highly  valued  as  food  fishes, 


CLUPEID^S.  —  CVII.  265 


*  Upper  jaw  not  projecting  beyond  the  lower. 
f  Teeth  wanting  or  on  tongue  only  (rarely  a  few  weak  teeth  in 
jaws)  no  dorsal  filament;    scales  regularly  arranged,  not 
ciliated;  upper  jaw  einargiuate. 

\  Depth  3i  in  length;  cheeks  higher  than  long;    preopercle 
with  a  very  short  horizontal  process.          .         ALOSA,  1. 
\\  Depth  3  J  to  3f  in  length  ;    cheeks  longer  than  high  ;  pre- 
opercle with  an  oblong  horizontal  process. 

POMOLOBUS,  2. 

**  Upper  jaw  projecting  beyond  the  lower.    (DOROSOMIN^E.) 
a.  Body  compressed,   deep  ;    last  ray  of   dorsal    filamentous  ; 
inoutli  toothless  ......        DOROSOMA,  3. 

/.  ALOSA,  Cuvier.     SHADS. 

1.  A.  sapidissima,  (Wilson)  Storer.  COMMON  SHAD. 
Head  4£  in  length;  eye  5  in  head;  bluish,  sides  silvery; 
scales  large;  D.  18;  A.  21;  V.  9;  lat,  1.  68.  Newfound- 
land to  Florida,  entering  rivers;  also  lately  introduced 
into  Western  streams;  a  valuable  food  fish.  (A.prcesta- 
lilts,  DeK.) 

2.  POMOLOBUS,  Rafinesque.     GASPEREAUS. 

1.  P.  pseudoharengus,  (Wils.)  Gill.  ALEWIPE.  GAS- 
PEREAU.  SPRING  HERRING.  Head  5  in  length;  eye  4 
in  head;  bluish,  sides  iridescent;  D.  18;  A.  18;  V.  9. 
Newfoundland  to  Florida,  entering  rivers,  sometimes 
land-locked  in  ponds;  a  common  food  fish.  (A.  tyrannus, 
DeK.  A.  cyanonoton,  Stor.,  etc.,  etc.) 

Var.  lacusiris,  Jordan.  CAYUGA  LAKE  SHAD.  Head 
4  in  length;  body  much  heavier  forward  than  in  the 
others;  depth  ftf  head  4^  in  length  of  body;  eye  large, 
longer  than  snout,  3  in  head;  scales  large,  loose;  caudal 
peduncle  in  its  narrowest  place  not  half  wider  than  eye; 
steel  blue,  punctate;  sides  silvery;  D.  15;  A.  19;  lat.  1. 
12 


266  FISHES. 

45;    33  scutes  in  all,   13  behind  ventrals.     Cayuga  L., 
N.  Y.,  dredged  in  deep  water.     (  Wilder.) 

2.  P.  chrysochloris,  Raf.  OHIO  GOLDEN  SHAD.  SKIP 
JACK.  Head  4  in  length;  eye  4^  in  head;  body  ellipti- 
cal, much  compressed;  scales  large,  high,  rather  firm; 
depth  of  head  5|-  in  length  of  body;  caudal  peduncle 
about  twice  width  of  eye ;  brilliant  blue  with  green  and 
golden  reflections,  silvery  below;  D.  18;  A.  18;  lat.  1.  55; 
17  scutes  behind  ventrals.  Ohio  R.  and  lower  Mississippi; 
a  handsome  species. 

3.  DOROSOMA,  Rafinesque.     GIZZAED  SHADS. 
=  Chatoessus,  Cuvier. 

1.  D.    cepedianum,    (Lac.)    Gill.      HICKORY    SHAD. 
GIZZARD  SHAD.     Head  4  in  length;    depth  2f ;  origin  of 
dorsals  behind  ventrals,  nearer  snout  than  caudal;    uni- 
form bluish  gray;  often  with  a  dark  shoulder  blotch;  D. 
13;    A.    32;    lat.   1.   55.      Cape  Cod  to  Cape  Hatteras, 
chiefly  marine,  but  often  land  -  locked  in  ponds,  where  it 
becomes  D.  insociabile,  Abbott. 

2.  D.  notatum,  Raf.     OHIO  GIZZARD  SHAD.     THREAD 
SHAD.     Head  3£  in  length;    depth  2f  to   3  in  length; 
dorsal  about   midway,  slightly  behind  ventrals;    dorsal 
filament  nearly  one-fourth  length  of  body;  bluish,  sides 
bright  silvery.    Ohio  R.  and  lower  Mississippi,  apparently 
not  descending  to  the  sea;  not  well  distinguished  from 
the  preceding  and  perhaps  the  same.    (C.  ellipticus,  Kirt.) 


.  —  cvm.  267 


SUB-  OEDEE.  -EVEBTOGSTATHI. 

(The  Carp  -like  Fishes.) 

FAMILY  CVIIL  —  CYPRINID^E. 

(The  Minnows.) 

Head  naked,  body  scaly  (except  in  Meda,  etc.);  mar- 
gin of  upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  alone; 
mouth  toothless;  lips  much  less  developed  than  in  the 
Catostomoids;  barbels  two  to  four  (absent  in  most  of  our 
genera  and  not  large  in  any)  ;  lower  pharyngeal  bones 
well  developed,  falciform,  nearly  parallel  with  the  gill 
arches,  each  provided  with  one  to  three  series  of  teeth 
in  small  number,  never  more  than  seven;  belly  usually 
rounded,  rarejy  compressed,  never  serrated;  gill  openings 
moderate,  separated  by  a  narrow  isthmus;  no  adipose 
fin  ;  dorsal  fin  (in  all  our  species)  short,  of  less  than  ten 
rays;  air  bladder  usually  large,  commonly  divided  into 
an  anterior  and  a  posterior  lobe,  rarely  wanting;  stomach 
without  appendages,  appearing  as  a  simple  enlargement 
of  the  intestines. 

Small  fishes  of  the  fresh  waters  of  the  Old  World  and 
of  North  America.  Genera  about  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
species  seven  hundred  to  one  thousand;  excessively 
abundant  where  found,  both  in  individuals  and  in  species, 
and  from  their  great  uniformity  in  size,  form  and  color- 
ation, constituting  one  of  the  most  difficult  groups  in  all 
Natural  History  in  which  to  distinguish  species.  Ours 
are  mostly  of  smaller  size  than  those  of  the  Old  World, 
several  of  the  larger  European  types  being  represented 
in  America  by  Catostomoid  forms.  Our  largest  species, 
Semotilus  rhotheus,  rarely  attains  a  weight  of  three  or 
four  pounds,  and  a  length  of  nearly  eighteen  inches. 


268  FISHES. 

The  smaller  Hybopses  and  Hemitremioe,  scarcely  reach  a 
length  of  two  inches. 

The  spring  or  breeding  dress  in  many  genera  is 
peculiar.  Often  the  top  of  the  head,  and  sometimes  the 
whole  dorsal  region  also,  is  covered  in  the  males  with 
rows  of  spinous  tubercles,  outgrowths  from  the  epider- 
mis, and  usually  the  skin  of  the  muzzle  is  then  swollen 
and  charged  with  pigment.  In  Semotilus  and  Ceratich- 
thys  these  tubercles  are  quite  large  and  cover  the  front 
and  sides  of  the  head;  in  Pimephales  and  Hyborhynchus 
they  are  placed  entirely  on  the  front  of  the  obtuse  snout; 
in  Campostoma  the  whole  dorsal  region,  and  sometimes 
the  whole  body,  is  rough  with  large  tubercles;  in  Luxi- 
lus,  PlargyruS)  Lythrurus,  Gila  and  Minnilus  the 
prickles  are  quite  small  and  crowded  on  the  upper  surface 
of  the  head  and  neck. 

In  some  genera,  the  males  in  spring  are  adorned  with 
bright  tints  of  red,  which  give  these  little  fishes  a 
temporary  brilliancy  scarcely  surpassed  even  by  Trouts 
or  Darters.  In  JLuxilus,  Lythrurus,  C ampostoma,  and 
Semotilus^  the  red  appears  chiefly  as  pigment  in  the 
membranes  of  some  or  all  of  the  fins,  the  sides  of  the 
body  being  usually  more  or  less  flushed;  in  Rhinichthys 
and  Gila,  the  black  of  a  portion  of  the  lateral  band 
usually  changes  to  red;  in  Chrosomus,  and  probably 
Phoxinus,  the  pigment  lies  mostly  in  the  skin  of  the 
belly,  and  in  Minnilus  it  is  chiefly  about  the  head  and 
the  bases  of  the  fins.  In  Pimephales  and  Hyborhynchus^ 
black  pigment  is  deposited  in  the  skin  of  the  head,  and 
in  the  species  of  the  sub-genus  Plargyrus,  satin-white 
pigment  occurs  in  the  fins.  So  far  as  is  known  to  me, 
the  species  of  Hybopsis,  Hemitremia,  Hybognathus, 
Photogenis,  Phenacobius^  Exoglossum,  Notemigonus, 
Ericymba.  and  the  sub -genus  Erinemus  of  Cera- 


CYPKINTDJS. — cvm.  269 

tichthyS)  -with  one  or  two  exceptions,  show  no  special 
variations  in  the  breeding  season,  but  this  matter  needs 
further  investigation. 

The  genera  given  below  appear  to  be  well  character- 
ized, although  several  are  very  closely  related,  and  the 
occurrence  of  intermediate  forms  may  require  them  to 
be  reunited.  Lythrurus  and  Plargyrus  are  properly 
sub-genera  of  Luxilus,  but  they  show  so  many  external 
peculiarities  that  I  have,  for  the  present,  given  them 
generic  rank.  Most  of  the  species  here  admitted  have 
been  pretty  thoroughly  tested  by  the  author,  though 
there  are  several,  particularly  under  Hybopsis^  which  I 
do  not  like  to  indorse. 

NOTE.-  -Young  CyprinidcB  usually  are  more  slender  than  adults 
of  the  same  species,  and  the  eye  is  always  much  larger;  they  also 
frequently  show  a  black  lateral  stripe  and  caudal  spot  which  the 
adults  may  not  possess.  Spots  on  the  fins  are  generally  charac- 
teristic. The  following  artificial  key  will  generally  hold  good  for 
adult  fishes,  but  only  great  patience  and  long  and  careful  observa- 
tion will  enable  the  student  to  identify  the  young.  The  accounts 
of  the  pharyngeal  teeth  are  taken  from  Prof.  Cope's  invaluable 
"Monograph  of  the  Cyprinidm  of  Pennsylvania,"  but  most  of 
them  have  been  verified  by  the  author.  It  has  been  thought  best 
to  make  the  dental  characters  subordinate  in  the  present  work, 
but  the  student  is  strongly  advised  to  examine  the  teeth  of  these 
fishes,  as  the  actual  characters  of  the  genera  are  largely  drawn 
from  them. 

*  Native  species ;  fins  without  serrated  spines. 

f  Dorsal  preceded  by  a  short,  spinous  ray,  which  is  connected 
by  a  membrane  to  the  soft  rays  (about  half  the  height  of 
the  fin,  and  appearing  as  if  broken  off) ;  snout  short  and 
blunt,  overlapping  the  small  mouth ;  front  of  muzzle  with 
about  a  dozen  large  tubercles  in  spring  males;  fins  low; 
dorsal  with  a  black  spot  in  front,  about  half  way  up ;  peri- 
toneum black ;  intestines  long,  two  to  three  times  length  of 
body ;  teeth  one-rowed,  4-4,  with  masticatory  surface. 


270  FISHES. 

a.  Lateral  line  complete ;   body  elongated ;   angle  of  mouth 

usually  with  a  small  barbel.        .        HYBORHYNCHUS,  4. 
aa.  Lateral  line  incomplete ;  body  very  short ;  no  barbels. 

PIMEPHALES,  3. 

ff  Dorsal  without  spine,  the  rudimentary  ray  in  front  smaller 
and  firmly  attached  to  the  first  developed  ray. 

b.  "With  a  small  barbel  (often  very  minute)  at  each  angle  of 

the  mouth ;  alimentary  canal  not  longer  than  body ;  teeth 
hooked,  without  masticatory  surface. 

c.  Intermaxillaries  not  projectile,  skin  of  lip  and  front 
continuous;  mouth  rather  inferior,  beneath  the  promi- 
nent snout;  scales  small,  usually  mottled;  lat.  1.  60  to 
70 ;  sides  rosy  in  Spring ;  isthmus  wide ;  teeth  2, 4-4,  2. 

RHLNICHTHYS,  9. 

cc.  Intermaxillaries  projectile;  species  usually  of  larger 
size  or  with  larger  scales. 

d.  Mouth  very  wide,  oblique;  head  broad,  rounded;  jaws 
nearly  equal ;  the  minute  barbel  just  above  the  angle 
of  the  mouth ;  often  a  black  spot  on  front  base  of 
dorsal ;  teeth  2,  5-4,  2.  ...  SEMOTILUS,  7. 

dd.  Species  usually  of  smaller  size;  the  mouth  rather 
narrow  and  more  or  less  inferior,  with  the  small  but 
evident  barbel  at  its  angle ;  no  spot  at  base  of  dorsal ; 
teeth  4-4 ;  or  1  or  2,  4-4, 1  or  2.  CERATICHTHYS,  8. 

J&.  Angle  of  mouth  without  traces  of  a  barbel. 

e.  Mouth  terminal,  more  or  less  oblique;  the  jaws  about 
even,  or  the  lower  somewhat  projecting.  (Upper  jaw 
sometimes  swollen  and  projecting  in  spring  males  of 
Luxilus  and  Semotilus.) 

f  Anal  with  twelve  or  more  developed  rays ;  body  ele- 
vated, abdomen  compressed;  lateral  line  greatly 
decurved;  mouth  short,  oblique;  lower  jaw  rather 
longest;  dorsal  behind  ventrals;  intestinal  canal 
long;  teeth  one-rowed,  crenate,  with  masticatory 
surface ;  rather  large  species,  with  a  silvery  or  golden 
lustre NOTEMIGONUS,  21. 

jf.  Anal  with  seven  to  eleven  (rarely  twelve)  developed  rays. 


CYPKINID^E. — CVIII.  271 

g.  Lateral  line  incomplete  or  wanting ;  mouth  oblique ; 
size  small. 

h.  Scales  very  small ;  lat.  1.  more  than  60 ;  dorsal 
behind  ventrals. 

i.  Body  very  stout ;  head  short  and  heavy ;  mouth 
large;  a  single  black  lateral  band;  back 
unspotted ;  alimentary  canal  short ;  teeth  two- 
rowed,  inner  5-4,  without  masticatory  surface. 

PHOXINUS,  14. 

it.  Body  moderately  stout,  graceful ;  sides  with  one 
or  two  black  bands ;  back  spotted ;  belly,  etc., 
brilliant  red  in  spring;  alimentary  canal 
elongate;  teeth  one-rowed,  4r-5  or  5-5,  with 
masticatory  surface.  .  CHBOSOMUS,  13. 

tih.  Scales  rather  large ;  lateral  line  less  than  40 ; 
small  species  with  a  dark  lateral  band;  teeth 
4-4  or  5^i,  with  masticatory  surface. 

HEMITREMIA,  12. 

gg.  Lateral  line  complete  (rarely  obsolete  on  the  last 
four  or  five  scales) ;  alimentary  canal  short. 

j.  Dorsal  decidedly  behind  ventrals ;  mouth  oblique, 
usually  large,  the  lower  jaw  commonly  project- 
ing ;  elongated  species,  generally  of  small  size, 
more  or  less  compressed,  with  the  caudal 
peduncle  long;  males  rosy  and  with  small 
tubercles  in  spring;  teeth  two-rowed. 

k.  Scales  very  small ;  lat.  1.  45  to  75 ;  dorsal  without 
spots ;  scarcely  silvery ;  sides  and  below  red 
in  spring ;  anal  fin  short,  with  eight  or  nine 
rays ;  teeth  5-4  (inner  series),  without  masti- 
catory surface GILA,  15. 

kk.  Scales  rather  small,  especially  in  front  of  dorsal, 
larger  along  the  sides  and  crowded  so  that  the 
exposed  surfaces  are  decidedly  higher  than 
long  as  in  I/uxilus;  lat.  1.  40  to  50;  fins  very 
high,  bright  red  in  the  spring,  a  large  black 
spot  at  base  of  dorsal  in  front ;  anal  fin  long, 


272  FISHES. 

of  ten  or  eleven  rays;    teeth  2,  4-4,  2,  with 
masticatory  surface.         .         LYTHRUIIUS,  16. 

kkk.  Scales  rather  large,  not  closely  imbricated, 
brilliantly  silvery;  lat.  1.  35  to  40;  fins  un- 
spotted, uncolored;  forehead,  etc.,  rosy  in 
spring :  anal  fin  rather  long,  of  nine  to  twelve 
rays;  body  elongate ;  teeth  (inner  series)  4-4, 
usually  without  masticatory  surface. 

MINNILUS,  20. 

jj.  Dorsal  directly  above  ventrals  (rarely  slightly  pos- 
terior) ;  anal  short,  of  eight  or  nine  rays. 
I.  Lateral  line  with  less  than  45  scales. 

m.  Scales  quite  large,  closely  imbricated,  the  ex- 
posed portion  being  much  higher  than  long, 
especially  on  the  sides  of  the  body,  very 
conspicuously  so  in  adults;  body  corn- 
pressed;  lateral  line  decurved;  mouth 
oblique ;  males  with  the  head  tuberculate 
in  spring. 

—  Dorsal  fin  directly  over  ventrals,  without 

distinct  black  spot ;  sides  and  fins  with 
red  pigment  in  spring ;  mouth  and  eyes 
large;  anal  commonly  I,  9;  teeth  2, 
4-4,  2  with  masticatory  surface. 

LUXILUS,  17. 

—  Dorsal  fin  slightly  behind  ventrals,  with 

a  large  black  blotch  behind ;  pigment 
on  sides  and  fins  pure  satin  white; 
mouth  and  eyes  rather  small ;    A.  nor- 
mally I,  8;   teeth  1,  4-4,  1,  sometimes 
crenate.         .         .         PLARGYRUS,  18. 
mm.  Scales  normal,  not  closely  imbricated. 
n.  Elongated,    compressed    species    with    the 
mouth  very  oblique,  and  the  lower  jaw 
usually  projecting;    scales  generally  bril- 
liantly silvery;    eye  large;  lateral  line  35 
to  40;    inner  row  of  teeth  4-4,  without 
masticatory  surface.    r    PHOTOGENIS,  19. 


CYPRTNID^E. — CVIII.  273 

nn.  Small  weak  species,  with  the  head  short, 
mouth  small,  and  the  lower  jaw  usually 
not  projecting;  scales  scarcely  silvery; 
inner  row  of  teeth  4-4,  with  masticatory 
surface.  .  .  .  HYBOPSIS,  11. 

II.  Lateral  line  with  more  than  45  scales ;  head  broad 
and  large;  body  little  compressed;  teeth  with- 
out masticatory  surface,  2,  5-4,  2. 

SEMOTILUS,  7. 

.  Mouth  inferior,  scarcely  oblique,  the  upper  jaw  being 
notably  longest. 

1.  Intestinal  canal  about  eight  times  the  length  of  the 

body,  its  numerous  convolutions  entirely  surround- 
ing the  small  air-bladder;  peritoneum  black ;  head 
rather  long  and  narrow,  with  sub- vertical  cheeks; 
lips  with  cartilaginous  sheaths ;  eyes  well  back  and 
high  up  the  head,  the  iris  orange-colored;  scales 
rather  small,  more  or  less  mottled;  a  blackish  verti- 
cal bar  behind  head  and  a  dusky  band  across  dorsal 
and  anal,  which  in  spring  males  is  bordered  with 
fiery  orange;  back  and  head  coarsely  tuberculated 
in  $  in  spring;  teeth  4-4,  with  oblique  masticatory 
surface CAMPOSTOMA,  2. 

2.  Sub-orbital  bone,  interopercle  and  base  of  mandible 

much  dilated,  cavernous,  crossed  by  large  mucous 
channels  (these  readily  seen  under  any  circum- 
stances, by  looking  at  the  head  of  the  fish  from 
beloio);  snout  thick;  slender  fishes,  brightly  silvery; 
teeth  1,  4-4,  0,  hooked,  without  masticatory  surface. 

ERICYMBA,  6. 

3.  Mandible  much  contracted,  with  a  lobe  on  each  side  at 

base;  the  middle  portion  appearing  like  a  protrud- 
ing tongue;  intermaxillaries  not  projectile;  stout 
species,  dusky  in  color;  teeth  1,4-4,  1,  hooked,  with- 
out masticatory  surface.  .  .  EXOGLOSSUM,  1. 

4.  Lips  large,  defended  by  a  cartilaginous  sheath  on  their 

opposing  edges,  somewhat  plicate  or  tuberculate; 
18 


274  FISHES. 

elongate  species  of  small  size,  resembling  young 
suckers ;  teeth  4-4,  hooked,  sharp-edged. 

PHENACOBIUS,  10. 

5.  Intermaxillaries  not  projectile,  the  skin  of  lip  and 

forehead  being  continous ;  small  dark  species  with 
60  or  more  scales  in  the  lateral  line. 

RHINICHTHYS,  9. 

6.  Scales    high,   closely  imbricated ;    body  compressed, 

silvery ;  dorsal  with  a  black  blotch  behind ;  snout 
with  small  tubercles  and  fins  with  satiny  pigment 
in  spring;  teeth  1,  4-4,  1.  .  .  PLARGYRUS,  18. 

7.  Small  fishes  —  silvery  or  plumbeous,  with  none  of  the 

preceding  combinations. 

o.  Jaws  with  sharp  cutting  edges ;  intestines  much  con- 
voluted, about  four  times  the  length  of  the  head  and 
body;  peritoneum  black;  size  moderate;  scales 
brightly  silvery ;  teeth  4-4,  with  oblique  mastica- 
tory surface  and  no  hook.  .  HYBOGNATHUS,  5. 

oo.  Jaws  not  trenchant ;  intestines  not  longer  than  head 
and  body ;  peritoneum  pale ;  scales  various,  rather 
large;  small,  weak  species;  teeth  one  or  two- 
rowed,  inner  series  4-4.  .  .  HYBOPSIS,  11. 

**  Introduced  species ;    dorsal  very  long  and  anal  short,  each 
being  preceded  by  a  stout  spine  which  is  serrated  behind. 

p.  Mouth  with  four  long  barbels;  teeth  molar  3,  1-1,  3. 

CYPRINUS,  23. 
pp.  No  barbels ;  teeth  compressed,  4-4.        .         CARASSIUS,  22. 

/.  EXOGLOSSUM,  Rafinesque.     STONE  TOTEES. 

1.  E.  maxil lingua,  (LeS.)  Haldeman.  DAY  CHUB. 
CUT  -  LIPS.  NIGGER  CHUB.  Body  stout ;  depth  4£  in 
length,  head  4;  eye  small,  nearly  5  in  head;  dorsal  be- 
hind midway  between  snout  and  caudal ;  dusky  above, 
a  blackish  shade  along  caudal  peduncle;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  50  to  55;  L.  4  to  6.  W.  N.  Y.  (Susquehanna  basin) 


275 


to  Tenn.  and  S.;  a  fish  of  remarkable  appearance,  singu- 
larly distinguished  from  all  our  other  CyprinidcB  by  the 
three-lobed  lower  jaw. 

2.  E.  mirabile,  Grd.  WESTERN  STONE  TOTER.  Head 
5  in  length;  dorsal  nearer  snout;  D.  I,  9  ;  A.  I,  8. 
Arkansas  R. 

2.  CAMPOSTOMA,  Agassiz.  STONE  LUGGERS. 
1.  C.  anomalum,  (Raf.)  Ag.  STONE  LUGGER.  STONE 
ROLLER.  Brownish,  with  a  brassy  lustre  above,  the 
scales  more  or  less  mottled  with  dark;  a  black  vertical 
bar  behind  opercle;  iris  usually  orange-red;  dorsal  and 
anal  each  with  dusky  cross-bar  about  half  way  up,  the 
rest  of  the  fin  olivaceous,  or  in  spring  males  fiery  orange  ; 
males  in  spring  with  many  rounded  tubercles  on  head,  and 
usually  the  whole  upper  surface  —  in  no  other  genus  are 
these  nuptial  appendages  so  extensively  developed  — 
scales  deep,  rather  small  and  crowded  anteriorly;  intes- 
tinal canal  six  to  nine  times  the  total  length  of  the  body, 
its  numerous  convolutions  passing  above  and  around  the 
air-bladder,  an  arrangement  found  in  Campostoma  alone 
among  all  the  Vertebrates;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  50  to 
55;  L.  4  to  8;  herbivorous.  Mississippi  Valley,  every- 
where abundant;  one  of  the  most  curious  and  interesting 
of  American  fishes.  [C.  dubium,  (Kirt.)  Cope.  C.  cal- 
lipteryx,  gobioninum,  etc.,  Cope.] 

3.    PIMEPHALES,    Rafinesque.      ROUND  -HEADED 

MINNOWS. 

1.  P.  prome/as,  Raf.  FAT  -HEAD.  BLACK  HEAD. 
Head  almost  globular,  black  in  adult  males;  snout  in  $ 
with  several  large  tubercles;  body  very  short  and  deep; 
scales  crowded;  eye  small;  mouth  very  small  and  short; 
a  large  black  dorsal  blotch;  males  dusky;  females  oliva- 


276  FISHES. 

ceous;  D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  46;  L.  2J.  Ohio  Valley 
to  Upper  Missouri.  Known  at  sight,  as  it  resembles 
nothing  else. 

2.  P.  milesii,  Cope.  MILES'  MINNOW.  Snout  longer; 
eye  larger;  mouth  larger;  color  paler,  usually  a  blackish 
lateral  stripe;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  40.  Mich,  to  Ky. 
(P.  agassizii,  Cope.) 

4.  HYBORHYNCHUS,  Agassiz.     BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOWS. 

1.  H.  notatus,  (Raf.)  Ag.  BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW. 
Brownish  or  bluish,  a  dusky  shade  along  sides  sometimes 
forming  a  caudal  spot;  a  distinct  black  spot  on  middle 
of  front  rays  of  dorsal;  head  short;  snout  in  spring 
males  with  disproportionately  large  tubercles,  usually 
fourteen  in  all;  a  distinct  barbel  at  each  angle  of  the 
mouth;  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  small  and  crowded; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  45;  L.  3  to  4.  N.  Y.  to  Tenn., 
Wis.,  and  Mo.;  very  abundant  in  the  Ohio  Valley.  (If. 
superciliosus,  Cope.  This  form,  said  to  be  distinguished 
from  the  true  "  notatus  "  by  the  presence  of  the  barbel, 
is  the  only  one  I  have  yet  seen.  Specimens  from 
Rafinesque's  original  locality  possess  the  barbel.) 

5.  HYBOGNATHUS,  Agassiz.     BLUNT- JAWED  MINNOWS. 

1.  H.  nuchalis,  Ag.    BLUNT  -  JAWED  MINNOW.    Smaller 
and  more  dusky  than  the  next;  eye  small,  shorter  than 
snout,  4  to  4^  in  head;  depth  4J  in  length,  about  equal 
to  length  of  head;    scales  in  front  of  dorsal  very  small 
and  crowded;  D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  8;    lat.  1.38;    L.  2|.     Ohio 
Valley  and  W.    This  and  the  next  may  be  readily  known 
from  the  Hybopses,  which  they  strongly  resemble  exter- 
nally, by  the  peculiarities  of  the  intestines. 

2.  H.  argyritis,  Grd.     SILVERY  MINNOW.     Olivaceous 


.  —  cvm.  277 


green  above,  sides  clear  silvery  with  bright  reflections; 
fins  unspotted;  eye  large,  longer  than  muzzle,  3  to  4  in 
head;  depth  4£  in  length;  scales  in  front  of  dorsal  quite 
large;  lateral  line  decurved;  head  large,  upper  jaw 
heavy;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38;  L.  5.  N.  J.  to  N.  C. 
and  W.  to  the  Upper  Missouri;  abundant  in  the  larger 
streams;  one  of  our  handsomest  dace.  (Jf.  osmerimts, 
Cope,  not  in  the  least  different!) 

6.  ERICYMBA,  Cope.     ERICYMBAS. 

1.  E.  buccata,  Cope.  SILVER  -  MOUTHED  DACE. 
Elongated;  depth  nearly  5  in  length;  head  4;  eye 
large,  3  in  head;  olivaceous  above,  sides  brilliantly 
silvery,  a  narrow  vertebral  line,  and  a  lateral  chain  of 
brown  dots;  upper  jaw  rather  large,  its  profile  angulated; 
mucous  channels  in  lower  jaw  very  conspicuous;  D.  I,  8; 
A.  I,  8;  lat,  1.  33;  L.  5.  Ohio  Valley,  Penn.  to  Tenn. 
(Jordan]  and  Illinois,  abundant.  A  beautiful  little  fish 
singularly  distinguished  from  all  our  other  species  by 
the  cavernous  bones  of  the  head. 

7.  SEMOTILUS,  Rafinesque.     FALL  FISH. 

*  Scales  moderate,  crowded  forwards,  55  or  more  in  lateral  line  ; 
a  black  spot  at  base  of  dorsal  in  front.    (Semotilus.) 

1.  S.  corpora/is,  (Mitch.)  Putnam.  COMMON  CHUB.. 
HORNED  DACE.  Body  stout,  depth  4£  in  length;  head 
large,  3f  ;  dusky  above,  especially  along  edges  of  scales; 
sides  bluish,  a  black  lateral  band  in  young;  silvery 
below,  sides  and  fins  flushed  with  crimson  in  spring; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  55  to  65;  L.  10  to  12.  New 
England  (Housatonic  R.,  Jordan)  to  the  Missouri  region 
and  S.;  the  most  widely  diffused  of  our  Cyprinidce, 
excepting  Ceratichthys  melanot/tis.  It  may  be  known 
under  all  circumstances  by  the  large  head  and  the 


278  FISHES. 

peculiar     dorsal    spot.      ($.    atromaculatus,    dorsalis, 
cephalus,  speciosus,  etc.,  etc.,  of  authors.) 

Var.  pallidus,  (Grd.)  Jordan.  PALE  CHUB.  Differs 
in  its  pale  color  and  slightly  smaller  scales.  Missouri 
region  and  S. 

**  Scales  larger,  scarcely  crowded  anteriorly;  lat.  1.  45  to  55;  no 
dorsal  spot.  (Leucosomus,  Hseckel.) 

2.  S.    argenteus,   (Storer)    Putn.      EASTERN   CHUB. 
ROACH.     Brownish,  sides  roseate;   depth  4|-  in  length; 
head  4;  eye  5  in  head;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  51;  L.  12 
to  14.     New  England  and  New  York.     [$.  pulchellus, 
(Storer)  Gill.] 

3.  S.  rhotheus,  Cope.     BIG  CHUB.     ROSY  FALL  FISH. 
Steel,  blue  above,  sides  silvery,  rosy  in  spring;  propor- 
tions of  the  last;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  46;  the  largest 
of    our    Cyprinidce,    reaching   a   length   of    18   inches. 
Mass,  to  Md.,  in  the  larger  streams. 

8.  CERATICHTHYS,  Baird.     HORNED  CHUBS. 

>  Nocomis,  Grd. 

<  Gobio,  Cuvier  (European). 

*  Mouth  nearly  terminal ;  rather  large  species,  scarcely  silvery, 
resembling  Semotilus.  (Ceratichthys.) 

f  Lateral  line  with  40  to  45  scales. 

1.  C.  melanotus,  (Raf. )  Jordan.  HORNED  CHUB. 
JERKER.  Bluish  olive,  sides  with  bright  green  and 
coppery  reflections;  a  curved  blotch  behind  the  opercle; 
fins  pale  orange,  unspotted;  white  below,  rosy  in  spring; 
adult  males  in  the  spring  with  the  top  of  the  head 
very  much  swollen,  elevated  into  a  sort  of  crest,  some- 
times nearly  one-third  of  an  inch  higher  than  the  level 
of  the  neck,  covered  with  large  tubercles;  a  stout 
species,  with  large  scales  which  are  not  crowded 


CYPRINIDJS. — cvin.  279 

anteriorly;  young  with  a  dark  caudal  spot;  head  4 
in  length;  depth  nearly  the  same;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat. 
1.  40  to  45;  L.  6  to  9.  Penn.  to  Utah  and  S.;  abundant 
almost  everywhere;  the  most  widely  diffused  of  all  our 
fresh  water  fishes.  \C.  biyuttatus,  (Kirt.)  Bd.,  C.  stig- 
maticus,  cyclotiS)  etc.,  Cope.] 
ff  Lateral  line  about  60. 

2.  C.  plumbeus,  (Ag.)  Gthr.     LEAD -COLORED  CHUB. 
Depth  =  length  of  head,  4  to  5  in  body;   mouth  small; 
dusky;    size  large;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  7;    lat.  1.  60.     L. 
Superior.     (C.  prosthemius,  Cope.) 

**  Mouth  small,  inferior  —  upper  jaw  notably  longest;   barbels 
rather  long;    small,  silvery  species,  resembling  Hybopsis. 
(Erijiemus,  Jordan.) 
\  Lateral  line  30  to  42. 

3.  C.  hyalinus,  Cope.      BIG -EYED  MINNOW.     Oliva- 
ceous or  bluish,  sides  clear  silvery;  eyes  very  large,  3  in 
head;  depth  5  in  length;  head  rather  large,  4;  D.  I,  9; 
A.  I,  8;    lat.  1.  40;   L.  3.     Ohio  Valley,  abundant;  the 
smallest  species,  resembling  Photogenis  arriommus,  but 
with  a  very  different  mouth. 

Var.  labrosus,  (Cope)  Jordan.  LARGE- LIPPED  MIN- 
NOW. Similar,  but  with  the  scales  larger,  the  body 
slimmer,  and  the  barbels  and  lips  more  developed;  D.  I, 
8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  34.  Rivers  of  N.  C.  and  Tenn. 

\\  Lateral  line  45  to  50 ;  long,  slender  species,  with  the  snout 
projecting. 

4.  C.  dissimilis,  (Kirt.)  Cope.    SPOTTED  SHINER.    Pale 
olivaceous,    sides  bright    silvery,    with  a  bluish   lateral 
band,  widened  at  intervals  into  spots;    fins  immaculate; 
depth  5  in  length;  head  4;  eye  large,  3£  in  head;  D.  I,  8; 
A.  I,  7;    lat.  1.  47  to  50;    L.  6.      Ohio  Valley  and  Lake 
region,  not  uncommon. 


280  FISHES. 

5.  C.  monachus,  Cope.     SOLITARY  CHUB.     Similar,  a 
black  spot  on   last  rays  of  dorsal;    a  dark  caudal  spot; 
eye  small,  4  in  head;  lat.  1.  56.     Holston  R. 

\\\  Lateral  line  about  70. 

6.  C.   cataract®,  (Val.)  Cope.      NIAGARA  GUDGEON. 
Slender,   depth  6  in  length;    head  4;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  70.     Niagara  Falls. 

9.  RHINICHTHYS,  Agassiz.     LONG-NOSED  DACE. 

=  Argyreus,  Haeckel  (preoccupied). 

*  Snout  projecting  considerably  beyond  the  mouth ;  body  slender, 
depth  usua.ly  5  to  6  in  length;  barbels  evident. 

1.  R.    nasutus,    (Ayres)    Ag.      LONG-NOSED    DACE. 
Brownish,  mottled,  not  banded;    eye  half  the  length  of 
the  long  snout;    head  3|^  in  length;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  63;  L.  5.     New  England  to  Va.  and  Wis.,  in  clear 
brooks. 

2.  R.  marmoratus,   Ag.      MARBLED   DACE.      Brown, 
marbled;  eye  2£  in  snout;  head  4-]-  in  length;  lat.  1.  70. 
Great  Lakes. 

**  Snout  scarcely  projecting;  body  stout;  depth  4  to  5  in  length; 

barbels  scarcely  visible, 
f  A  distinct  dark  band  from  snout  to  caudal  (reel  in  spring.) 

3.  R.  atronasus,  (Mitch.)  Ag.     BLACK- NOSED  DACE. 
Dusky,   belly  silvery;    lateral   band  bright  crimson   in 
spring,    becoming   orange    in    summer,    black    at   other 
times;    fins  often  rosy  in  spring;    depth  4f  in  length; 
head  3f ;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  65.     New  England  to 
Ohio  Valley,  in  clear  brooks;  abundant  Eastward. 

4.  R.   obtusus,  Ag.     BROWN- NOSED  DACE.     Similar; 
sides  with  a  brown  band,  edged  above  and  below  with 
paler;  head  4  or  more  in  length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1. 
63  to  70.     Western  streams. 


CYPRINID^E. — CVIII.  231 

•ft  Sides  without  band,  or  with  merely  a  dusky  shade. 

5.  R.  lunatus,  Cope.  FORK-TAILED  DACE.  Reddish 
brown,  with  dusky  spots;  depth  4^  in  length;  head  4; 
lat.  1.  GO.  Western  streams. 

10.  PHENACOBIUS,  Cope.     PHENACOBIES. 

1.  P.    teretu/us,   Cope.     Head— depth,   4£  in   length; 
lips  plicate;    a  dusky  lateral   band;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  43.     Streams  of  W.  Va. 

2.  P.  uranops,  Cope.     Head  4f  in  length;    depth  6^; 
lips  tuberculate:  lat.  1.  60.     Holston  R. 

//.  HYBOPSIS,  Agassiz.     BLUNT-FACED  MINNOWS. 

*  Mouth  inferior,  horizontal,  small. 

f  Head  5i  to  6  times  in  total  length,  including  caudal  fin.   (Hud- 
sonius,  Grd.) 

1.  H.    storerianus,    (Kirt.)   Ag.      STOKER'S   MINNOW. 
Silvery,   scales  with  black   dots,  forming  a  dark  lateral 
stripe;  snout  blunt,  about  as  long  as  eye;    depth  5^  in 
length;  D.  I,  9;  A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  41.     Great  Lake  region, 
etc. 

2.  H.   hudsonius,  (Clinton)   Putnam.     SPAWN -EATER. 
Silvery,   often   with   dark    shades;    snout  much   shorter 
than  eye;   depth  4  in  length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38. 
Lakes  and  rivers;  abundant  eastward.    (Huds.  flumatilis 
and  amarus,  Grd.     H.  phaenna,  Cope.) 

ff  Head  4i  tp  5  in  length,  inclusive  of  caudal  fin.    (Hybopsis.) 
%  Pectoral  fins  short,  not  reaching  ventrals. 
a.  Lateral  line  43  to  45. 

3.  H.  tuditanus,  Cope.    Form  and  coloration  of  JFTybor- 
hynchus  notatus,  but  said  to  want  the  dorsal  spine;  head 
broad  and  blunt.     L.   Michigan;  "a  doubtful  species," 
as  are  several  others  in  this  genus. 

aa.  Lat.  1.  36  or  37. 


282  FISHES. 

4.  H.  spectrunculus,  Cope.      Eye  large;    head  broad 
and  flat;    a  plumbeous   lateral   band  and  black  caudal 
spot;  fins  reddish;  A.  I,  9.     Holston  R. 

5.  H.  stramineus,  Cope.     Silvery;  head  more  rounded; 
body  plump;    scales  in  front  of  dorsal   12  to   14,  quite 
large.     Mich,  to  Ind.,  abundant. 

aaa.  Lat.  1.  32  or  33. 

6.  H.  procne,   Cope.      Very  similar,  but   the    caudal 
peduncle  contracted  and  slender,  scales  large;    a  plumb- 
eous band  over  black  pigment.    D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7.    Penn., 
etc.,  common  E. 

$.  Pectorals  elongated,  nearly  or  quite  reaching  ventrals. 

7.  H.  microstomus,    (Raf.)    Jordan.       LONG-HEADED 
MINNOW.     Head  elongated;   a  silvery  band  along  sides 
and  a  series  of  black  dots  along  lateral  line;  depth  5  in 
length;  caudal  peduncle  not  abruptly  contracted;  pec- 
torals long,  about  reaching  ventrals;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  33.    Va.  to  Ky.     [J?.  gracilis,  Ag.  (type  of  genus.) 
If.  longiceps,  Cope.] 

8.  H.   volucellus,  Cope.      Elongated ;    head   long ;    a 
dusky  lateral  band;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  34.     Detroit 
R.,  (same  as  preceding?) 

**  Mouth  larger,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  about  as  long  as  upper. 

(Alburnops,  Grcl.) 
b.  Lateral  line  35  or  36,  a  dark  lateral  band. 

9.  H.   chalybceus,  Cope.      PIGMY   MINNOW.      Muzzle 
flat;  head  4  in  length;  caudal  peduncle  abruptly  slender, 
lateral  band  very  distinct,  shining  black;  A.  I,  8.    Penn., 
N.  J.;  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  Cyprinidm;  length  1-|- 
inches;  (resembles  Hemitremia  bifrenata.') 

10.  H.  fretensis,  Cope.     Silvery,  a  plumbeous  lateral 
band;  A.  I,  8.     Detroit  R.;  resembles  a  Minnilus. 

W.  Lateral  line  38  to  39. 


CYPRINLLXE. — CVIII.  283 

11.  H.  fl/umbeo/uSf  Cope.      LEAD -COLORED  MINNOW. 
Uniform  leaden  silvery;    body   compressed;    lower  jaw 
projecting;  A.  I,  9.     Great  Lakes. 

12.  H.  regius,    (Girard)    Cope.       SILVERY    MINNOW. 
Much  elongated,  compressed;  uniform  silvery;  D.  I,  10; 
A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  38.     Potomac  R. 

13.  H.  rubricroceus,  Cope.      RED -BANDED  MINNOW. 
A  red  lateral  band  and  red  touches  on  head;  belly  yel- 
low;   A.  I,  9;    lat.  1.  38.     Upper  Tennessee;    a  brightly 
colored  species. 

bbb.  Lateral  line  42  to  45 ;  colors  dull. 

14.  H.  hcematurus,  Cope.     RED -TAILED  MINNOW.     A 
black  spot  on  dorsal  and  at  base  of  caudal;    dusky;    tail 
brick-red;  A.  I,  7.     Tributaries  of  Lake  Michigan. 

12.  HEMITREMIA,  Cope.    HEMITREMES. 

1.  H.  vittata,  Cope.    SOUTHERN  HEMITREMIA.    Dusky; 
a  black  lateral  band,  and  above  this  several  paler  and 
smaller  ones,  the  upper  running  into  the  dorsal  line;  fins 
small;    depth  4  in  length;    head  4^;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  7; 
lat.  1.  34;  L.  2.     Head  waters  of  Tennessee  and  Cumber- 
land Rivers.     (Description  from  Kentucky  specimens.) 

2.  H.    heierodon,    Cope.       NORTHERN    HEMITREMIA. 
Head  —  depth,  about   4   in    length;    snout   flat,   rather 
pointed;    back    compressed,    elevated ;    olive,    a   dusky 
lateral  shade;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  35.    Mich.,  Wis. 

3.  H.  bifrenata,  Cope.    EASTERN  HEMITREMIA.    Head 

=  depth,  4-J-  in  length;  snout  blunt;  olive,  a  burnished, 
jet-black  lateral  band  of  a  deeper  color  than  in  any 
other  small  minnow;  D.  I,  8";  A.  I,  7;  lat.  1.  36.  Mass. 
to  Md.,  abundant. 


284  FISHES. 

13.  £///?0S0Aft/$,  Rafinesque.    RED  -  BELLIED  MINNOWS. 

1.  C.  pyrrhogaster,  Jordan.  CHKOSOMUS.  RED-BELLIED 
DACE.     Brownish  olive,  with  black  spots  on  the  back,  a 
black  or  brown  band  from  above  the  eye,  straight  to  the 
tail;  another  below,  running  through  eye,  decurved  along 
the  lateral  line;    belly  and  space  between  bands  bright 
silvery,  brilliant  scarlet  red  in  spring  males,  as  are  the 
bases  of  the  vertical  fins;  a  dark  vertebral  line;  females 
obscurely  marked;  D.  1,8;  A.  1,9;  lat.l.  80  to  90.    Penn. 
to  Wis.  and  S.,  abundant  in  small  streams;  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  of  our  fishes.     [C.  erythrog aster ^  (Kirt.) 
Ag.,  not  of  Raf.] 

2.  C.  erythrog aster,  Raf.      KENTUCKY    RED -BELLY. 
Similar  but  even  more  brilliant;    a  dark  band  through 
eye  to  base   of   anal;    another  from  the  middle  of  the 
body  to  caudal;  above  this,  back  with  distinct  cross-bars 
and  spots;    belly  silvery  or   crimson;    fins    orange    and 
yellow;    lat.  1.  67.     Ky.  to  Va.  and  N.  C.     (C.  oreas, 
Cope.) 

3.  C.  eos,  Cope.     Lateral  bands  confluent  on  caudal 
peduncle;  teeth  5-5;  lat.l.  75.     Susquehanna  R. 

14.  PHOXINUS,  Rafinesque  (1820!).      EUROPEAN  MIN- 

NOWS. 

1.  P.  neogceus,  Cope.  NEW  WORLD  MINNOW.  Black- 
ish above,  a  broad  black  lateral  band  through  eye, 
becoming  a  spot  on  the  tail;  belly  white;  fins  dusky; 
head  large,  3^  in  length;  depth  rather  less;  mouth  large, 
oblique;  eye  large;  D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  7;  L.  3.  Southern  Mich. 
(Cope)]  Baraboo  R.,  Wis.  (Eundy]\  a  curious  fish,  related 
to  the  Minnow  of  Europe  (P.  Icevis,  Ag.) 


CYPBINID^J. — CVIII.  285 

15.  GILAf  Baird  and  Girard.    LEATHER- SIDED  MINNOWS. 

*  Scales  very  small;   mouth  large,  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw 
projecting.     (Clinostomus,  Grd.) 

1.  G.  elongata,  (Kirt.)  Jordan.     RED- SIDED  MINNOW. 
Dark  bluish,  mottled  by  paler  scales;  sides  with  a  broad 
black  band,  the  front  half  of  which  is  bright  crimson  in 
the  spring;  a  dark  dorsal  stripe;    mouth  very  large,  the 
lower  jaw  narrowed  and  projecting  farther  than  in  any 
other  of  our  Dace;  a  little  knob  at  the  tip  which  over- 
laps the  end  of  the  upper  jaw;    body  much   elongated, 
but  little  compressed;  depth  5  in  length;  head  4£;    eye 
moderate,  about  3£  in  head;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  65 
to  70;   L.  4.     Great  Lakes,  Ohio  Valley,  etc.;    a  hand- 
some species.     (C.  proriger,  Cope.) 

2.  G.  vandoisula,  (Val.)  Jordan.    ROSY  DACE.    A  light 
and  a  dark  lateral  band;  snout  pointed;  mandible  shorter 
than  in  the  preceding;   eye  larger;   depth  5  in  length; 
head  4;    D.  I,  9;    A.  I,  8;    lat.  1.  48.      Streams   about 
Chesapeake  Bay  and  S.     (C.  funduloides,  Grd.) 

3.  G.    affinis,   (Grd.)   Cope.      Body  deeper,    depth  = 
length  of  head,  3|  in  body;    eye  rather  small;  D.  I,  9; 
A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  46.     James  R.     (C.  carolinus,  Grd.) 

4.  G.  margarita,  Cope.    No  lateral  band;  snout  obtuse; 
depth  5  in  length;  head  4;  lat.  1.  58.     Penn. 

16.  LYTHRURUS,  Jordan.     RED- FINS. 
<  Hypsilepis,  Cope. 

1.  L.  diplcemius,  (Raf.)  Jordan.  RED-Fttf.  Bright 
steel  blue,  with  purplish  shades,  silvery  below;  a  large 
black  spot  on  the  anterior  rays  of  dorsal  in  front;  fins 
otherwise  unicolor,  plain  olivaceous  in  $,  brilliant  brick 
red  in  spring  males;  scales  with  more  or  less  dark  edg- 
ing; nuptial  tubercles  minute,  very  numerous,  whitish, 


286  FISHES. 

chiefly  on  the  upper  surface  of  head;  body  much  com- 
pressed; back  elevated;  head  deep,  rather  obtuse;  depth 
3|  in  length;  D.  I,  9*  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  44;  L.  3.  West- 
ern streams,  generally  abundant;  an  exceedingly  bril- 
liant fish  in  the  breeding  season;  known  at  all  times  by 
the  dorsal  spot  and  compressed  body,  with  large  fins  and 
long  caudal  peduncle.  (.Rutilus  miber,  Raf.)  (Not  Leu- 
ciscus  diplemius,  Kirt.) 

2.  L  ardens,  (Cope)  Jordan.  SOUTHERN  RED- FIN. 
Colors  similar,  but  red  on  sides  more  conspicuous;  head 
rather  pointed,  with  the  mouth  still  more  oblique;  depth 
5  in  length;  D.  I,  9;  A.  I,  11;  lat.  1.  50.  Cumberland 
and  Roanoke  Rivers  and  S. 

17.  LUXILUS,  Rafinesque.     SHINERS. 
=  Hypsilepis,  Baird. 

*  Fins  and  lower  parts  with  rose-red  pigment  in  spring  and  sum- 
mer ;  no  distinct  black  dorsal  spot ;  eye  large ;  mouth  large, 
oblique,  the  lower  jaw  about  as  long  as  upper  in  closed 
mouth ;  species  of  large  size ;  "  Red  Fins." 

1.  L.'  cornutus,  (Mitch.)  Jordan.  COMMON  SHINER. 
RED  -  FINNED  SHINER.  ROUGH"-  HEAD.  RED  -  FIN. 
Adult  deep  steel  blue  or  olivaceous  above,  with  golden 
vertebral  and  lateral  bands,  very  conspicuous  in  life  ; 
sides  silvery,  rosy  inhales  in  spring;  fins  plain  oliva- 
ceous or  somewhat  dusky,  becoming  crimson  in  spring; 
young  olivaceous  and  silvery,  not  closely  resembling  the 
adult;  depth  3  to  5  in  length,  greater  than  length  of 
head  in  adults;  head  large;  mouth  moderately  oblique, 
the  lower  jaw  not  projecting;  lateral  line  much  decurved; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  40  to  45;  L.  6.  U.  S.  from  Maine 
to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  every  where  abundant,  and 
extremely  variable.  The  adults  may  be  known  at  once 
by  the  high  and  narrow  exposed  surfaces  of  the  scales; 


CYPRINID^E. — CVIII.  287 

the  young  often  need  close  attention.  (Plargyrus  typi- 
cits,  Grd.;  L.  chrysocephalus,  Raf.;  L.  diplemim  and 
plargyrus,  Kirt.;  Leuciscus  frontalis,  Ag.,  a  stout  variety 
from  the  Great  Lakes.) 

2.  L  coccogenis,  (Cope)  Jordan.  RED -CHEEKED 
SHINER.  Steel  blue,  sides  silvery;  dorsal,  caudal,  and 
pectorals  red  in  the  male;  adults  of  both  sexes  with  the 
upper  jaw,  base  of  dorsal,  and  a  vertical  streak  down  the 
cheeks,  bright  orange  red,  the  latter  mark  appearing  like 
a  brand;  dorsal  and  caudal  with  a  broad  dusky  bar; 
slimmer  than  cornutus;  depth  4iJ-  in  length,  about  equal 
to  length  of  head;  mouth  very  oblique,  the  lower  jaw 
projecting  (excepting  in  tuberculate  males);  D.  I,  7; 
A.  I,  9;  lat.  1.  42.  Head  waters  of  the  Tennessee  R., 
abundant;  a  beautiful  and  very  distinct  species. 

18.  PLARGYRUS,  Rafinesque.     SILVER  FINS. 

<  Rutilus,  Raf.  (=  Leuciscus,  Klein,  European.) 

<  Hypsilepis,  Cope. 

*  Fins  and  lower  parts  with  milk-white  pigment  in  spring,  never 
red ;  dorsal  with  a  large  black  spot  on  the  last  rays,  about 
half  way  up  (an  important  feature);  upper  jaw  projecting  in 
closed  mouth ;  eye  rather  small ;  species  of  rather  small  size ; 
"  Silver-Fins." 

1.  P.  galacturus,  (Cope)  Jordan.  MILKY -TAILED 
SHINER.  SLENDER  SILVER  -  FIN.  Bluish  above,  sides 
bright  silvery,  with  bright  reflections;  head  4^  in  length; 
depth  4f ;  mouth  large,  nearly  horizontal;  body  slender, 
more  elongated  and  less  compressed  than  in  the  next; 
scales  smooth  and  firm,  usually  with  dusky  edges;  D.  I, 
8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  40;  L.  5.  Ohio  Valley  and  S., 
abundant.  Resembles  the  next,  but  larger,  and  with  a 
larger  mouth. 


288  FISHES. 

2.  P.  spir//ngu/us,(Val.)  Jordan.  SILVER-FIX.  Leaden 
silvery;  fins  satin  white  in  the  breeding  season;  dorsal 
with  a  conspicuous  black  spot,  as  in  the  preceding;  head 
4  in  length,  rather  short  and  deep;  mouth  rather  small, 
very  oblique,  yet  the  lower  jaw  received  within  the  upper 
in  the  closed  mouth;  body  much  compressed;  depth  3f  in 
length;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  35  to  40;  L.  3J.  Cayuga 
L.,  N.  Y.  (S.  H.  Gage),  to  N.  J.,  Va.,  and  Ind.,  abundant. 
In  full  breeding  dress  one  of  the  most  exquisite  of  all 
our  fishes.  (Leuciscus  spirlingulus,  Val.  L.  kentucki- 
ensis,  Kirt.,  not  of  Raf.  llutilus  plargyrus,  Raf. 
Cyprinella  analostana,  Grd.) 

.  PHOTOGENIS,  Cope.    WHITE-CHEEKED  SHINERS. 
*  Anal  I,  10  or  I,  9 ;  no  black  caudal  spot. 

1.  P.    /eucops,    Cope.     WHITE  -  CHEEKED    SHINER. 
Dorsal  fin  much  nearer  caudal  than  end  of  snout;  mouth 
very  oblique;  rfvaceous    above,   sides    silvery;    scales 
large;   eye  white,  3  in  head;    head  4  to  4|-  in  length; 
depth  less;    D.  I,  8;    A.  1,10;    lat  1.  35  to  40.      Ohio 
Valley;  a  handsome  fish  resembling  a  Minnilus. 

2.  P.  arriommus,  Cope.     BIG-EYED  SHINER.     General 
appearance  of  preceding,  but  larger,  reaching  a  length 
of  nearly  5  inches;  eye  very  large,  2^-  in  head,  relatively 
larger  than  in  any  other  of  our  Minnows;    head  large; 
bluish  above,  sides  bright  silvery;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  9;  lat. 
1.  40.     White  R.,  Indiana,  abundant,  but  not  yet  recog- 
nized elsewhere. 

3.  P.  te/escopus,  Cope.    WHITE  SHINER.     Dorsal  fin 
equidistant;  sea-green,  silvery  below;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10; 
lat.  1.  38.     Holston  R. 

**  Anal  I,  8 ;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal. 


CYPEIKID^E. — CVIII.  289 

4.  P.  leuciodus,  Cope.    WHITE  SHINER.     Olive,  sides 
silvery  with  purple  reflections;  snout  and  base  of  dorsal 
red;  lat.  1.  40.     Holston  R. 

***  Anal  I,  8 ;  no  caudal  spot. 

5.  P.   scabriceps,   Cope.      ROUGH -HEADED   SHINER. 
Head  broad,  minutely  rough ;  eye  large,  3  in  head;  head 
flattish   above;    mouth   little    oblique;    greenish,   sides 
leaden  silvery;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  38.     Ohio  Valley. 

6.  .P.  spilopterus,  Cope.      SPOTTED  -  FINNED  SHINER. 
Head  narrower;  eye  smaller;  olive,  a  plumbeous  lateral 
band;    black  spot  on  dorsal  behind;    D.  I,  8;    A.  I,  8; 
lat.  1.  38.     St.  Joseph's  R.,  Mich.     This  and  some  of  the 
ot^er  species  of  this  genus  need  confirmation. 

20.  MINNILUS,  Rafinesque.    ROSY -FACED  MINNOWS. 

=  AlburnelluS)  Girard. 

1.  M.  rubrifrons,  (Cope)  Jordan.     ROSY -FACED  MIN- 
NOW.    Olive  above,  with  a  clear  green  lustre ;    sides  sil- 
very; a  dark  vertebral  line;    forehead,  opercular  region, 
base  of  dorsal,  etc.,-  flushed  with  red  in  spring;  upper 
surface  of   head  minutely  tuberculate  in  males  at  that 
season;  head  rather  pointed,  about  3^  in  length;  depth 
4£;    eye  about  4  in  head;   D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  10;  lat.  1.  38; 
L.  3  or  less.     Ohio  Valley,  abundant ;   an  elegant  little 
fish,  well  distinguished  from  M.  rubellus  by  the  smaller 
size,  deeper  body  and  much  longer  head,  as  well  as  by 
peculiarities  of  form. 

Var.  amcenus,  (Abbott)  Jordan.    ABBOTT'S  ROSY  MIN- 
NOW.    Eye  larger;  head  rather  shorter.     Delaware  R. 

2.  M.  dilectus,  (Grd.)  Jordan.     DELECTABLE  MINNOW. 
Intermediate    between    the    preceding   and   the   next; 
smaller  than  rubellus  and  more  thick-set;  head  =  depth, 

13 


290  FISHES. 

about  5  in  length;  eye  longer  than  snout,  3  in  head; 
coloration  of  the  others;  D.  I,  8;  A.  I,  11;  lat.  1.  42;  L. 
3^.  Ohio  R.  (New  Albany,  Dr.  Sloan)  to  Arkansas  R. 
and  S.  (Type  of  Alburnellus.) 

3.  M.  rubellus,  (Ag.)  Jordan.     ROSY  MINNOW.     Light 
olive,  with  brilliant  clear  green  lustre;   a  dark  vertebral 
line,  and  dark  edges  to  the  dorsal  scales;  sides  brilliantly 
silvery,  the  lustre  overlying  a  plumbeous  lateral  shade; 
forehead,    etc.,   rosy   in   spring  ;    sides  sometimes  rosy 
tinted;    golden  dorsal  and  lateral  stripes,  conspicuous  in 
life  as  in  most  silvery  species;    head  short, -somewhat 
pointed,  5  in  length;   depth  5^  to  5^;    eye  4  in  head; 
D.  I,  8;  A.  1, 10;  lat.  1.  38;  L.  4  to  5.     Great  Lakes  and 
Ohio  Valley;  abundant  in  the  larger  streams;  even  more 
graceful  in  form  and  delicate  in  coloration  than  the  pre- 
ceding. 

4.  M.  dinemus,  Raf.     EMEEALD  MINNOW.     Coloration 
exactly  as  in  M.  rubellus,  but  the  body  very  slender  and 
less  compressed,  more   elongated  than  in  any  other  of 
our  Cyprinidw,  the  depth  being  only  from  one-sixth  to 
one-seventh  of  the  length;  head  4f  in  length;  eye  3^  in 
head  ;  fins  as  in  preceding;  L.  4  to  5.     L.  Michigan  and 
Ohio  Valley,  in  the  larger  streams,  like  the  others,  "  going 
in  flocks."     (A.  jaculus  and  A.  arge,  Cope.)     (This  is 
Rafinesque's  "  Emerald  Minnow,"  the  type  of  his  genus 
Minnilus.      Rafinesque's  generic  name  having  nearly 
forty  years  priority  over  Alburnellus^  must  be  substituted 
for  the  latter  appellation.) 

5.  M.  micropteryx,  (Cope)  Jordan.       SMALL -FINNED 
MINNOW.     Resembles  M.  rubrifrons^  but  the  fins  all  very 
low,  the  ventrals  scarcely  reaching  to  the  line  of  the 
middle  of  dorsal;    head  4£  in  length;   depth  5|-  to  5f ; 
lat.  L.  39;  L.  3.     Clinch  R. 


291 


21.  NOTEMIGONUS,  Rafinesque.    GOLDEN  SHINERS. 

=  Stilbe,  DeKay  (preoccupied  in  Botany.) 

=  StilbiuS)  Gill  (substitute  for  Stilbe.) 

=  Jjitxilus,  Girard  (not  of  Raf.) 

=  Leucosomus,  Storer  (not  of  Haeckel.) 

=  Plargyrus,  Putnam  (not  of  Raf.) 

<  AbramiS)  Cuvier  (a  closely  related  European  genus). 

1.  N.  americanus,  (L.)  Jordan.  SHINER.  STILBE. 
BREAM.  Body  much  compressed;  abdomen  trenchant; 
head  small,  about  4  in  length  ;  depth  3  (2^  to  4)  ;  lateral 
line  much  decurved;  scales  small  on  the  back,  much 
larger  below;  dark  steel  blue  or  green  above,  sides 
silvery  or  golden,  every  where  with  brilliant  reflections, 
green,  yellow,  and  red;  young  specimens  paler,  looking 
like  young  Luxili,  but  the  adults  are  among  the  largest 
in  the  family  and  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  Shad,  a 
circumstance  which  has  misled  many  observers,  and 
among  them  Rafinesque;  D.  I,  7;  A.  I,  14;  lat.  1.  45  to 
50.  New  England  to  Minnesota  and  S.;  abundant  in 
bayous,  ponds,  and  weedy  streams;  this  species  is  much 
more  tenacious  of  life  than  any  other  of  our  Qyprinoids. 
\N.  auratuS)  Raf.  /S.  cJirysoleuca^  (Mitch.)  DeK.  A. 
versicolor,  DeK.] 

21.  CARASSIUS,  Nilsson.     CRUCIAN  CARPS. 

1.  C.  auratus,  (L.)  Bleeker.  GOLD  FISH.  Orange  or 
blackish,  rarely  pale;  D.  I,  19;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  26;  ex- 
ceedingly variable  in  domestication  Asia;  common 
every  where  in  aquaria,  and  now  naturalized  in  many  of 
our  eastern  streams. 

22.  CY  PRIMUS,  Linnams.    CARPS. 
1.    C.    carpio,    L.      EUROPEAN    CARP.      Olivaceous; 


292  FISHES. 

D.  Ill,  20;  A.  Ill,  5;  lat.  1.  37.     European,  introduced 
into  some  eastern  rivers. 

FAMILY  CIX.— CATOSTOMID^E. 

(T7te  Suckers.) 

Cyprinoid  fishes  of  medium  or  large  size,  with  the 
pharyngeal  teeth  in  a  single  series,  very  numerous  and 
closely  set;  intermaxillaries  forming  but  a  small  part  of 
the  upper  arch  of  the  mouth,  the  maxillaries  entering 
into  it  extensively  on  each  side;  mouth  toothless,  with 
fleshy  lips,  extremely  protractile,  roundish  when  fully 
protruded;  dorsal  fin  long;  anal  short  and  rather  high; 
no  barbels;  scales  large;  head  naked;  air  bladder  large, 
divided  into  two  or  three  parts  by  transverse  constric- 
tions. Genera  ten,  Pantosteus,  Cope,  and  the  following; 
species  about  fifty,  abounding  everywhere  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  two  or  three  occur  in  China  and 
Japan,  all  the  rest  are  North  American. 

*  Dorsal  moderate,  of  11  to  20  rays ;  size  rarely  large ;  Suckers. 

(CATOSTOMIN,E.) 
f  Air  bladder  in  two  parts. 
\  Lateral  line  well  developed ;  lips  papillose. 
a.  Scales  much  smaller  anteriorly  than  posteriorly;  inter- 
orbital  space  convex ;  body  sub-terete.    CATOSTOMUS,  1. 
aa.  Scales  about  as  large  on  front  part  of  body  as  on  tail ; 
body  tapering  rapidly  from  shoulders  to  tail ;    inter- 
orbital  space  concave;   length  of  head  greater  than 
depth  of  body ;  young  barred  or  variegated. 

HYPENTELIUM,  2. 

\\  No  lateral  line ;  lips  usually  plicate.        .        ERIMYZON,  3. 
ft  Air  bladder  in  three  parts ;    lips  usually  plicate ;  lateral  line 

very  distinct. 

b.  Pharyngeal  teeth  numerous  and  all  small,  of  the  usual  type ; 
the  bones  slender.    •  .        .        .  MOXOSTOMA,  4. 


CATOSTOMID^.  —  CIX.  293 

bb.  Teeth  on  the  lower  half  of  the  pharyngeal  bones  reduced 
to  about  a  dozen,  which  are  quite  large;  upper  teeth 
numerous  and  small  ;  bones  stout  and  heavy. 

PLACOPHARYNX,  5. 
**  Dorsal  elongated,  of  20  to  35  rays,  more  or  less  elevated  in 

front  ;  size  usually  large  ;  Buffalo  fishes. 

c.  Body  deep  and   heavy,  usually   considerably  compressed; 
general  color  olivaceous  white  or  brown.     (BUBALICB- 

THYIN^E.) 

d.  Anterior  dorsal  rays  very  much  elongated,  reaching  when 
depressed  at  least  to  the  middle  of  the  fin  ;  back  elevated  ; 
mouth  small,  inferior  ;   pharyngeal  teeth  minute,  nearly 
equal  ........     CABPIODES,  6. 

dd.  Anterior  dorsal  rays  moderately  elevated,  rarely  reaching 
the  middle  of  the  fin  ;  pharyngeal  teeth  becoming  larger 
downward  ;  eye  small,  operculum  very  large. 
e.  Mouth  sub-terminal,  protractile  forwards.  ICHTHYOBUS,  7  . 
ee.  Mouth  inferior,  protractile  downwards. 

BUBALICHTHYS,  8. 

cc.  Body  very  much  elongated,  not  much  compressed  ;  dorsal  of 
35  rays  ;  anal  with  7  rays,  placed  very  far  back,  the  abdo- 
men being  therefore  very  long;  general  color  black. 
.  .  .  .  •  .  CYCLEPTUS,  9. 


/.  CATOSTOMUS,  LeSueur.     BROOK  SUCKERS 
>  Acomus  and  Minomus,  Grd. 
=  Decactylus,  Raf. 

1.  C.  teres,  (Mit.)  LeS.     COMMON  SUCKER.     WHITE 
SUCKER.     Depth  about  equal  to  length  of  head,  4  to  4^- 
in  length  ;    olivaceous,  sides  silvery,  with  bright  reflec- 
tions;   D.  I,  13;   A.  8  or  9;  lat.  1.  63.     U.  S.,  abundant 
everywhere  E.  of  the  Mississippi.    (C.  communis^  boston- 
iensiS)  etc.,  of  authors.) 

2.  C.  hudson/uSf  LeS.      NORTHERN   SUCKER.     LONG- 
NOSED  SUCKER,     Very  slender  j  depth  less  than  length 


294  FISHES. 

of  head;  snout  very  much  produced;  scales  very  small; 
D.  1, 12;  A.  9;  lat.  1.  105.   L.  Superior  to  Arctic  regions. 

2.  HYPENTELIUM,  Rafinesque.     BIG  STONE  LUGGEKS. 
=  Hylomyzon^  Ag. 

1.  H.  nigricans,  (LeS.)  Jordan.  STONE  ROLLER.  MUD 
SUCKER.  Depth  4f  in  length;  head  4;  depth  of  head  § 
its  length;  eyes  small,  very  high  up  and  far  back;  lower 
fins  very  large;  pectoral  nearly  as  long  as  head;  brown- 
ish; often  beautifully  marbled;  D.  12;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  52. 
Lakes  and  streams  from  N.  Y.,  S.  and  W.,  abundant; 
one  of  our  most  singular  fishes.  It  frequents  clear 
streams  and  rapids,  and  it  is  not  at  all  a  "  mud  fish."  as 
some  writers  seem  to  suppose. 

3.    ERIMYZON,    Jordan.      CHUB    SUCKERS. 

=  Moxostoma,  Agassiz  (not  of  Raf.) 
*  No  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales. 

1.  E.  oblong  us,  (Mit.)  Jordan.     CREEK  FISH.     CHUB 
SUCKER.     Head  4  to  4^-  in  length;  depth  2£,  in  adult; 
eye  5  in  head;  scales  crowded,  deeper  than  long;  dusky 
above,  brassy  on  sides  and  below;  very  variable;   young 
much  less  compressed,  with  black  bands  or  bars,  and 
pale  lateral  and  vertebral  streaks;  spring  males  with  six 
tubercles  on  head;  D.  12;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  40.     New  England 
S.  and  W.,  abundant  in  Great  Lakes. 

**  Each  scale  with  a  large,  square  black  spot  at  its  base,  these 
forming  conspicuous  stripes  along  the  sides. 

2.  E.   melanops,   (Raf.)   Jordan.      STRIPED   SUCKER. 
Head  4f  in  length;  depth  about  4;    scales  very  large; 
blackish  above;  sides  coppery,  with  black  stripes;  D.  I, 
13;  A.  I,  8;  lat.  1.  47;   size  large.      Great  Lakes  and 


CATOSTOMIDJE. — CIX.  295 

Ohio  Valley,  abundant;  one  of  our  handsomest  suckers, 
strangely  overlooked  by  recent  writers.  This  and  the 
preceding,  unlike  most  of^  our  suckers,  are  very  hardy  in 
the  Aquarium. 

3.  E.  sucetta,  (Lac.)  Jordan.  LACEPEDE'S  SUCKER. 
Head  compressed  and  flat;  lower  lip  very  large;  brown, 
sides  silvery,  with  brown  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales; 
D.  I,  12;  A.  9.  Southern  States. 

4.  MQXOSTOMA,  Rafinesque.    RED  HORSES. 
X  Teretulus,  Raf. 
=  PtychostomuS)  Ag. 

*  Dorsal  wi;h  13  to  15  developed  rays ;  body  compressed, 
f  Lower  fins  reddish,  becoming  orange  on  death. 

1.  M.  duquesnei,  (LeS.)  Jordan.     COMMON  RED  HORSE. 
WHITE  MULLET.     Head  4  to  4f  in  length;  depth  about 
4^;  eye  large,  3^  to  4  in  head;  olive  above,  sides  bright 
silvery,  with  red  and  green  reflections;  lower  fins  pink, 
becoming  bright  crimson;    D.  I,  13;    A.  8;    lat.  1.  42  to 
47.   Ohio  Valley  and  Lake  region,  every  where  abundant. 
[Pt.  erytkrurus  (Raf.)  Cope.] 

2.  M.  wreolum,  (LeS.)  Jordan.     LAKE  RED  HORSE. 
GOLDEN  MULLET.     Head  quite  small,  about  5  in  length; 
mouth  large,  not  much  inferior;  eye  5  in  head;  yellow- 
ish biown,  with  bright  reflections;  lower  fins  decidedly 
red;  oack  somewhat  elevated;  D.  1, 13;  lat.  1.  49;  large, 
reacies  a  weight  of  20  Ibs.     Great  Lakes,  abundant. 

3.  M.  anisurus,  (Raf.)  Jordan.     CARP  MULLET.     Head 
stout,  less  than  4  in  length ;  body  short  and  thick,  depth 
3£;  mouth  with  the  lower  lips  decidedly  V-shaped;  eye 
small,  4f  in  head;    lower  fins  pale  orange;    D.  I,  13  to 
I,  15.     North  Carolina  to  Ind.,  and  S.     (P.  collapsus^ 
Cope.) 


296  FISHES. 

ff  Lower  fins  white,  never  orange. 

4.  M.  macrolepidoium,  (LeS.)  Jordan.     LARGE-SCALED 
MULLET.      Fusiform,   compressed,  depth  3^  in  length; 
head  short,  convex,  4-J  in  length;  eye  large,  4  in  head; 
color   pale,  with  dusky  and  yellow  shades;    D.  I,  13; 
V.  9;  lat.  1.  45.     N.  Y.  to  Ind.,  chiefly  eastward. 

**  Dorsal  with  16  to  18  developed  rays ;  body  compressed. 

5.  M.  carp/o,  (Val.)  Jordan.    SILVEKY  MULLET.    Head 
4J  in  length;    depth  3^;    eye  3^-  in  head;    scales  large, 
silvery  white;  lips  large;  dorsal  larger  than  in  any  other 
species,  dusky  at  tip ;  olivaceous,  sides  silvery,  lower  fins 
white;   D.  I,  8;   V.  10;   lat.  1.  43.      Great   Lakes,  not 
common.     (Described  from  specimen  from  Fox  R.,  Wis.) 

6»  M.  velatum,  (Cope)  Jordan.  Much  like  preceding, 
but  lips  as  in  P.  anisurus;  head  short;  D.  16;  V.  9; 
lat.  1.  42.  Ohio  Valley. 

***  Dorsal  with  12  rays ;  body  nearly  cylindrical. 

7.  M.  cervinum,  (Cope)  Jordan.  JUMPING  MULLET. 
Head  5  in  length;  flattish  above;  lips  large;  yellowish 
with  green  reflections;  size  small;  D.  I,  12.  "Va.,  N.  C., 
etc.;  said  to  resemble  Hypentelium. 

5.  PLACOPHARYNX,  Cope.    PLACOPHARYNX. 

• 

1.  P.  carinatus,  Cope.  COPE'S  SUCKER.  Reserables 
M.  duquesnei,  but  the  pharyngeal  bones  quite  different; 
eye  4-j-  in  head;  head  4  in  length;  depth  3f ;  head 
strongly  ridged  above;  pharyngeal  bones  very  heavy, 
the  lower  7  to  12  teeth  on  each  side  very  large,  truncate, 
irregularly  placed;  D.  14;  A.  7;  lat.  1.  41.  Wabash  R.; 
probably  not  uncommon,  but  not  distinguished  until 
quite  lately. 


CATOSTOMIDJ3. — CIX.  297 

6.  CARP/ODES,  Rafinesque.     CARP  SUCKERS. 

*  First  rays  of  dorsal  very  much  elevated  and  attenuated,  about  as 
long  as  the  base  of  the  fin. 

1.  C.  velifer,  (Raf.)    Ag.     SPEAR   FISH.     SAIL   FISH. 
QUILLBACK.    SKIMBACK.    Muzzle  conic,  much  less  obtuse 
than  in  the  next;    depth  2^  in  length;    head  3f ;    eye  4^ 
in  head;    color  pale,  scarcely  silvery,  as  in  all  species; 
D.  22;  lat.  1.  37.     Ohio  R. 

2.  C.  difformis,  Cope.     HIGH  -  BACKED  CARP  SUCKER. 
Snout  very  blunt;    eye  4^  in  head;    head  3f  in  length; 
depth  2^;    body  short  and  high;    dorsal  fin  strongly  fal- 
cate ;  snout  minutely  tuberculate  in  spring  as  in  some 
other  species;  D.  26;    A.  8;    V.  9;    lat.  1.  37.     Western 
streams   (described    from    L.    Erie    specimens    of    "C. 
cutisanserinus"  Cope  =  C.  selene,  Cope.) 

**  Anterior  dorsal  rays  scarcely  filamentous,  little  more  than  half 
the  length  of  the  base  of  the  fin. 

3.  C.  bison,  Ag.     BUFFALO  CARP.     Muzzle  very  long, 
conic;  eye  large,  4^  in  head;  longest  dorsal  rays  reach- 
ing nearly  to  end  of  fin;    D.  28;    lat.  1.  40.     Mississippi 
Valley  and  W. 

4.  C.  thompsoni,  Ag.     LAKE  CARP.     Short  and  stout; 
scales  narrowly  exposed;    eye  small,  5J  in  head;    depth 
2|-  in  length;    long  rays  of   dorsal  reaching  22d  ray; 
D.  28;  lat.  1.  41.     Great  Lakes. 

5.  C.  cypriniis,  (LeS.)  Ag.      SILVERY  CARP  SUCKER. 
Body  oblong;  dorsal  as  above;    eye  5  in  head;  depth  3f 
in  length;    head  3;    D.  30;    lat.  1.  40.     Rivers,  chiefly 
eastward. 

6.  C.  carpio,    (Raf.)   Jordan.      OLIVE   CARP  SUCKER. 
Elongated;    head  small;    dorsal  rays  short;  depth  3  in 
length;    eye  4|  in  head;    D.  30  or  more;    lat.  1.  36;    the 
largest  species.     Ohio  Valley.     (C.  nummifer.  Cope.) 


298  FISHES. 

7.  ICHTHYOBUS,  Rafinesque.     BUFFALO  FISHES. 
<  SclerognathuS)  Val. 

1.  /.  bubalus,  (Raf.)  Ag.  BROWN  BUFFALO  FISH. 
Depth  3J  in  length;  head  the  same;  eye  small,  6^  in 
head;  depth  of  head  five -sixths  its  length;  opercle  very 
wide,  forming  nearly  half  the  length  of  head  —  convex 
and  furrowed;  scales  very  large;  dull  brownish  olive, 
not  silvery;  D.  27;  A.  10;  lat.  1.  40;  length  (of  specimen) 
27  inches;  weight  15  fbs.  Mississippi  Valley  (described 
from  specimen  from  Wabash  R.) 

8.  BUBALICHTHYS,  Agassiz.     BUFFALO  SUCKEKS. 

1.  B.  niger,  (Raf.)  Agassiz.  BUFFALO  FISH.  Depth 
=  length  of  head,  3f  in  body;  eye  4  to  6  in  head;  nape 
prominent,  convex;  length  of  opercle  half  its  height; 
D.  30  to  35;  A.  8.  Mississippi  Valley;  known  from  the 
preceding  by  its  more  arched  back,  inferior  mouth  and 
probably  greater  size.  Several  other  species  of  Ichthy- 
obus  and  Bubalichthys  have  been  mentioned  but  not 
recognizably  described. 

9.  CYCLEPTUS,  Rafinesque.     SUCKERELS. 
=  RJiytidostomus,  Ekeckel. 

1.  C.  elongatus,  (LeSueur)  Ag.  BLACK  HORSE. 
GOURD -SEED  SUCKER.  LONG  BUFFALO.  MISSOURI 
SUCKER.  Body  fusiform,  not  greatly  compressed ; 
mouth  very  small;  depth  4  to  5  in  length;  lobes  of 
dorsal  and  caudal  much  attenuated;  jet  black  above, 
sides  black  with  a  coppery  lustre;  snout  minutely 
tuberculate  in  spring;  D.  35;  length  2  to  3  feet;  weight 
2  to  15  ibs.  Mississippi  Valley,  in  large  streams.  A 
singular  species,  quite  unlike  any  other. 


299 


OEDEE  AA.  —  NEMATOGUATHL 

(The  Sheat  Fishes.} 

Skin  naked  or  with  bony  plates;  no  true  scales;  bar- 
bels always  present,  maxillary  bone  rudimentary  and 
forming  the  base  of  the  longest  barbel;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  intermaxillariesonly;  sub-opercle  absent; 
air  bladder  generally  present;  usually  an  adipose  fin, 
and  in  all  our  species  a  spine  in  the  dorsal  and  pectorals; 
ventrals  abdominal.  Chiefly  fresh  water  fishes,  apparently 
related  to  the  Sturgeons.  The  leading  family  is  Siluridce. 

FAMILY  CX.—  SILURID^E. 

(The  Cat  Fishes.) 

General  characters  as  "above  given,  —  ours  all  have  the 
air  bladder  well  developed,  the  skin  naked,  and  the 
dorsal  and  pectoral  spines  more  or  less  developed  and 
often  serrated  behind;  the  fresh  water  species  have 
always  eight  barbels.  Genera  one  hundred  or  more; 
species  nearly  seven  hundred;  a  very  large  family 
abounding  in  the  fresh  waters  of  America  and  the 
warmer  parts  of  the  Old  World;  a  few  are  marine. 
Our  species,  though  very  numerous,  are  closely  related. 
*  Eyes  well  developed. 
f  Adipose  fin  free  from  caudal. 

$  Dorsal  spine  well  developed  ;  branchiostegals  less  than  12. 

a.  Supra-occipital  bone  connected  behind  with  the  base  of 

the  dorsal  spine  ;  body  slender,  elongated  ;  head  rela- 

tively small  ;  tail  strongly  forked.      .       ICTALUKUS,  1. 

aa.  Supra-occipital  bone  free  behind;  body  short  and  thick; 

head  very  large,  depressed  ;  caudal  rounded  (forked  in 

two  or  three  species.)         .         .         .        AMIURUS,  2. 

ft  Dorsal  spine  rudimentary  ;  branchiostegals  12  ;  body  elon- 

gated; lower  jaw  longest.         .         .        HOPLADELUS,  3. 


300  FISHES. 

ft  Adipose  fin  long,  keel-like,  continuous  with  the  rounded 
caudal ;  spines  well  developed.         .         .         NOTDRUS,  4. 
**  Eyes  concealed  beneath  the  skin ;  blind  cave  fishes. 

GRONIAS,  5. 

/.  ICTALURUS,  Rafinesque.     CHANNEL  CATS. 
=  SynechoglaniS)  Gill. 

1.  /.  punctatuSf  (Raf.)  Jordan.     CHANNEL  CAT.     BLUE 
\{_     CAT.    WHITE  CAT.     Depth  5  in  length;  head  4£,  longer 

than  broad;  upper  jaw  longest;  clear  olivaceous,  silvery 
below  and  on  sides;  young  punctate  with  black;  barbel 
longer  than  head;  D.  I,  6;  A.  26;  P.  I,  8.  Mississippi 
Valley,  abundant.  [I.  ccerulescens,  (Raf.)  Gill.] 

2.  I.  nigricans,  (LeS.)  Jordan.      GREAT   LAKE   CAT 
FISH.     Olive  brown,  sides  ashy  with  large   faint  black 
blotches;    back  nearly  black;    D.  I,  6;    P.  I,  9;    A.  26; 
length  2  to  4  feet.      Great  Lakes,  abundant;  reaches  a 
large  size.      (This  species  proves  to  be  an  Amiurus; 
see  Addenda.) 

3.  I.  furcatus,  (LeS.)  Gill.     GREAT  FORK-TAILED  CAT. 
Olivaceous,    silvery;    back   blackish;    maxillary   barbel 
shorter  than  head;  D.  I,  7;  P.  I,  10;  A.  33;  very  large. 
Mississippi  Valley. 

4.  /.   furcifer,  (C.  &  V.)  Gill.      FORK -TAILED  CAT. 
Olivaceous;  barbels  longer  than  head;  D.  I,  6;  P.  I,  9; 
A.  27.     Mississippi  Valley;  a  doubtful  species. 

5.  /.  gracilis,  (Hough)  Gill.     NORTHERN  SILVERY  CAT. 
D.  I,  5;  A.  23;  barbels  as  long  as  head.     N.  N.  Y. 

2.  AMIURUS,  Rafinesque.    HORNED  POUTS. 

<  Pimelodus,  early  authors. 
*  Caudal  fin  deeply  forked. 

1.  A.  lynx,  (Girard)  Gill.     POTOMAC  CAT.     Width  of 
head  4^-  in  length;  eye  large,  3  to  5  in  interorbital  space; 


.  —  ex.  301 


barbels  long;  black  above,  sides  silvery,  belly  pure 
white;  D.  I,  6;  A.  22;  V.  8.  Rivers  of  Atlantic  Coast, 
N.  J.  to  S.  C. 

2.  A.  lophlus,  Cope.     BIG-MOUTHED  CAT.     Width  of 
head  3£  in  length  of  body;  head  and  mou-th  excessively 
large;    brown,   whitish    below;    D.  I,  6;    A.  21;    V.  8. 
Potomac  R.,  etc. 

**  Caudal  fin  deeply  emarginate,  but  not  forked. 

3.  A.  confinis,  (Girard)  Gill.     WISCONSIN  BULL-HEAD. 
Dorsal  nearer  adipose  fin  than  snout;  jaws  equal;  D.  I, 
6;  A.  20.     Root  R.,  Wis. 

4.  A.  hoy/,  (Grd.)  Gill.     HOY'S  BULL-HEAD.     Dorsal 
nearer  snout  than  adipose  fin;  upper  jaw  longest;  D.  T 
7;  A.  23.     Racine,  Wis.     (Same  as  preceding?) 

***  Caudal  rounded  or  truncate  when  spread  open  (rarely  very 
slightly  emarginate.) 

f  Anal  with  17  rays;  upper  jaw  longest. 

5.  A.   pullus,  (DeK.)  Gill.      BLACK   BULL  -HEAD   OF 
N.  Y.     Blackish  above;  pale  beneath;  size  small;  head 
deep,  3±  in  length;  depth  same;  D.  I,  5;  P.  I,  7;  A.  17. 
Lakes  of  New  York  and  eastward,  abundant. 

ff  Anal  with  19  to  22  rays. 
$  Jaws  about  even,  or  upper  jaw  projecting. 

6.  A.  atrarius,  (DeK.)  Gill.     NORTHERN  BULL-HEAD. 
HORNED  POUT.     Head  4  in  length;  depth  4j-;  width  of 
head  5^  to  6;   barbels  long;    slope  nearly  uniform  up- 
ward  from   snout   to   the    elevated   base    of    dorsal,    a 
character  not  shown  by  any  other  species  known  to  me; 
blackish   above,   sides   coppery,  belly  white,    yellowish 
forwards;    size  small;    D.  I,  6;    P.  I,  8;  A.  20.      New 
England  to  Maryland  and  the  Great  Lakes,  abundant; 
the  common  eastern  species. 


302  FISHES. 

7.  A.  albidus,  (LeS.)  Gill.    BROWN  CAT  FISH.    WEST- 
ERN BULL  -  HEAD.     Depth  3^  to  4f  in  length ;  head  3|  to 
4J,  its  width  5;  barbels  moderate;    eye  7  in  head;  head 
wider  than  in  the  preceding;  an  uneven  curve  from  snout 
to   base   of   dorsal   which   is    not    especially    elevated; 
yellowish  brown  or  blackish  above,  sides  coppery  yellow, 
belly    usually   decidedly    yellow    but    variable,    rarely 
blackish   and  pale;    caudal  truncate;    D.  I,  7;    P.  I,  8; 
A.  19  to  22.     Lakes  and  streams,  abundant;    N.  Y.  to 
Minn.,  Kansas,  and  S.;    chiefly  west  of  the  Alleganies. 
[A.  nebulosus  (LeS.),  A.  catulus  (Grd.),  A.  xanthocepha- 
lus  (Raf.),  etc.]     Perhaps  two  or  more  species  are  here 
confounded. 

\\  Lower  jaw  longer  than  upper. 

8.  A.  dekayi,  (Girard)  Gill.      DEKAY'S  BULL -HEAD. 
Form  nearly  of  A.  atrarius ;  head  and  body  rather  elon- 
gated; A.  20,  its  base  one  -  sixth  of  length  of  fish.    Lakes, 
etc.,  in  N.  Y.    A  doubtful  species.     ["7>.  catus,"  DeK., 
fide  Girard.  A.  catus  (L.),  Gill,  is  a  Southern  species.] 

9.  A.  o&lurus,  (Girard)  Gill.     MINNESOTA  CAT  FISH. 
Head  broad,  3J  in  length;    body  rather  short;    reddish, 
pale  below;  D.  I,  6;  A.  22;    its  base  more  than  \  of 
length.     L.  Amelia,  Minn,  to  Ills.  (Forbes)  and  S. 

ff f  Anal  with  24  to  28  rays ;  size  usually  large. 

10.  A.  cupreus,  (Raf.)  Gill.    GREAT  YELLOW  CAT  FISH. 
Upper  jaw  longest;  head  very  large;  body  stout;  barbel 
rather  short,  but  usually  as  long  as  head;    color  usually 
a  clear  copper   yellow,  belly   yellow;    reaches   a   very 
large  size,  probably  the  largest  in  the  genus;    D.  I,  6; 
P.  I,  7;    A.   25.      Lakes  and  larger  Western  streams, 
abundant. 

11.  A.  lividus,  (Raf.)  Jordan.     LIVID  CAT  FISH.     Jaws 


SILTJEID^E.— CX.  303 

equal;  color  dark;  size  small;  otherwise  like  the  pre- 
ceding. Ohio  to  Ills,  (needs  confirmation.)  [A.  cupre- 
oides,  (Grd.)  Gill.] 

12.  A.  ccenosus,  (Rich.)  Gill.  LAKE  HURON  CAT  FISH. 
Dark  greenish,  paler  below;  spines  strongly  serrated; 
D.  I,  7;  P.  I,  8;  A,  24.  Lake  Huron.  A  doubtful 
species. 

3.  HOPLADELUS,  Rafinesque.     MUD  CATS. 

1.  H.  olivaris,  (Raf.)  Gill.  MUD  CAT  FISH.  Body 
elongated,  long  and  low;  lower  jaw  longest;  head  de- 
pressed, thick-skinned;  caudal  emarginate ;  olive  brown, 
paler  below;  size  very  large;  D.  I-,  6;  P.  I,  30;  A.  15 
(or  more?).  Mississippi  Valley.  (Other  species  probably 
exist,  but  they  have  never  been  studied.) 

4.  NOTURUS,  Rafinesque.     STONE  CATS. 

1.  N.  flavus,  Raf.     OHIO  STONE  CAT.     Head  3  to  4 
in  length;  dorsal  longer  than  high;  barbels  rather  short; 
color  nearly  uniform  yellowish  brown;    body  thick  and 
short;  D.  I,  7;    P.  I,  7;  A.  16.     Ohio  Valley;  abundant 
and  very  variable. 

2.  N.  /emn/scatuSf  (LeS.)  Gill.     SOUTHERN  STONE  CAT. 
Head  broad,  4£  in  length;  spines  short;  D.  I,  7;  P.  1, 10; 
A.  21.     Rivers  S.  &  W. 

3.  N.   marg/natus,   Baird.      MARGINED    STONE   CAT. 
Head  4  in  length;  dorsal  higher  than  long;  barbels  rather 
long;  brownish  or  blackish,  much  mottled  and  barred; 
fins  black -edged;   head  smaller  than  in  JV".  flavus,  and 
the  body  more  elongate;  D.  I,  7;  A.  14;  P.  I,  7.     Penn. 
to  S.  C.  and  W. 

4.  N.  gyrinus,  (Mit.)  Raf.      NORTHERN   STONE  CAT. 
Head  elongate,  flat,  3^  in  length;  barbels,  long;  brown- 


304  FISHES. 

ish,  fins  yellow-edged;  D.  I,  6;  P.  I,  6;  A.  16.  Walkill 
R.,  N.  Y.,  etc.  (The  species  of  this  genus  need  a  critical 
revision.) 

5.  GRONIAS,  Cope.     BLIND  CATS. 
1.  G.  nigrilabris,  Cope.      BLIND  CAT  FISH.     Form  of 
Amiurus;    blackish;    D.  I,  7;    P.  I,  9.     Subterranean 
stream  tributary  to  Conestoga  R.,  E.  Penn. 


OEDEE  BB.  -  APODES. 

(The  Eels.) 

Maxmary  Dones  rudimentary;  body  serpentiform ;  no 
ventral  fins;  scapular  arch  free  from  skull;  scales  small 
or  wanting. 

FAMILY  CXI.  — ANGUILLIDJE. 

(The  Eels.) 

Body  much  elongated,  nearly  cylindrical,  covered  with 
small  scales;  vent  posterior;  pectorals  present;  vertical 
fins  confluent;  sides  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  the  maxil- 
laries;  intermaxillaries  more  or  less  coalescent  with  the 
vomer;  stomach  coecal.  Genera  two  or  three;  "an  in- 
finite number  of  species  have  been  described"  (Gunther), 
but  the  actual  number  cannot  exceed  forty.  In  seas  and 
sluggish  fresh  waters  of  all  regions. 

/.  ANGUILLA,  Thunberg.  EELS. 
1.  A.  rosfrata,  (LeS.)  DeK.  COMMON  AMERICAN  EEL. 
Distance  between  dorsal  and  anal  shorter  than  head.  U. 
S.,  chiefly  coastwise,  but  ascending  all  rivers  and  intro- 
duced into  the  Great  Lakes.  But  one  species  is  recog- 
nizable. (A.  bostoniensis.  Authors,  but  the  name  rostrata 
has  priority. 


AMIID^E. — CXII.  305 


ffianoiireu 

The  Ganoid  Fishes. 

Skeleton  bony  or  cartilaginous;  tail  more  or  less 
heterocercal;  optic  nerves  forming  a  chiasma;  arterial 
bulb  rhythmically  contractile,  provided  with  several  rows 
of  valves;  air  bladder  frequently  cellular  and  lung-like; 
skin  usually  with  bony  plates;  intestine  usually  with  a 
spiral  valve;  ventral  fins,  if  present,  abdominal.  Of  this 
important  sub-class  but  few  species  are  now  existing,  and 
these  few  vary  widely  from  one  another.  Of  the  earlier 
fossil  fishes,  a  very  large  proportion  are  Ganoids. 


OEDEK  OO.-CYOLOGAJSrOIDEL 

(The  Cydoganoids.) 

This  order  contains  but  a  single  species  among  recent 
fishes. 

FAMILY  CXIL  — AMIID^E. 

(The  Bow -Fins.) 

Body  oblong,  rather  stout,  covered  with  thick  cycloid 
scales;  tail  heterocercal,  the  caudal  peduncle  curved 
upwards  behind,  "like  a  sled -runner;"  a  large  bony 
buckler  between  branches  of  lower  jaw;  membrane 
bones  of  head  much  developed,  very  hard;  jaws  broad 
with  strong  teeth  in  two  sets,  similar  teeth  on  vomer, 
palate  and  pterygoids;  snout  short,  rounded;  ventrals 
large,  abdominal;  dorsal  very  long,  the  rays  of  nearly 
30 


306  FISHES. 

uniform  height;  anal  short  and  rattier  high;  air  bladder 
large,  cellular,  lung -like,  communicating  by  a  glottis 
with  the  oesophagus;  stomach  large. 

A  single  species  is  found  in  the  larger  bodies  of  fresh 
water  in  the  U.  S.  from  N.  Y.  to  the  plains.  It  is 
exceedingly  tenacious  of  life,  even  more  so  than  the 
species  of  Amiurus.  The  flesh  is  soft  and  pasty,  and 
not  edible.  In  some  regions  its  voracity  has  acquired 
for  it  the  name  of  "  Lawyer,"  because,  as  has  been  said, 
"  it  will  bite  at  any  thing,  and  is  good  for  nothing  when 
caught." 

/.  AMIA,  Linnagus.     BOWFINS. 

1.  A.  calva,  L.  BOWFIN.  DOG  FISH.  MUD  FISH. 
Depth  4  to  4|-  in  length;  head  nearly  4;  eye  .8  in  head; 
anterior  nostrils  each  with  a  short  barbel;  dark  olive  or 
blackish  above,  nearly  white  below;  sides  with  traces 
of  greenish  markings;  lower  jaw  and  gular  plate  with 
round  blackish  spots;  fins  mostly  dark;  $  reaching  a 
length  of  18  inches,  with  a  roundish  black  spot  on  the 
upper  base  of  caudal,  which  is  surrounded  by  an  orange 
or*  yellowish  shade ;  $  larger,  2  feet  or  more  in  length, 
without  the  black  caudal  spot;  D.  42  to  53;  A.  10  to  13; 
lat.  1.  65  to  70.  E.  U.  S. ;  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes. 
(A.  ornata,,  reticulata,  and  viridis,  LeS.  A.  marmorata, 
canina,  lentiginosa,  cinerea^  and  subccerulea,  Val.  A. 
ocelUcauda^  Rich.  A.  occidentalis,  DeK.  A.  thompsoni 
and  piquotii,  Dumeril.) 


ORDER  DD.-RHOMBOGANOIDEL 

(The  Rhorriboganoids.) 

This  order   includes,  among  recent  fishes,  only   the 
following  family: 


LBPIDOSTEED^B. — CXITL  307 

FAMILY  CXIIL— LEPIDOSTEID^E. 

(The  Gar  Pikes.) 

Body  elongated,  sub  -  cylindrical,  covered  with  hard, 
enamelled,  lozenge  -  shaped,  ganoid  plates;  snout  elon- 
gated, spatulate,  or  beak -like;  upper  jaw  of  several 
pieces,  longer  than  the  lower,  which  is  formed  of  as 
many  parts  as  in  Reptiles;  both  jaws  and  palate  armed 
with  bands  of  rasp -like  teeth,  and  series  of  larger, 
conical  ones;  fins  with  fulcra  (elongated  modified  scales) 
in  front;  dorsal  and  anal  short  and  placed  far  back, 
moderately  high;  vertebrae  concavo-convex,  with  ball 
and  socket  joints  as  in  Reptiles;  air  bladder  cellular, 
like  the  lungs  of  Reptiles,  connected  with  the  pharynx; 
stomach  not  ccecal  but  with  numerous  pyloric  append- 
ages ;  intestine  with  rudimentary  spiral  valve  ;  no  spir- 
acles; branchiostegals  three;  pseudobranchise  present. 
Fresh  waters  of  N.  A.,  from  New  England  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  S.  to  Central  America  and  Cuba.  Genera 
two  or  three  (Cylindrosteus  seems  to  us  to  be  rather  a' 
sub-genus  of  Lepidosteus]\  species  probably  about  five 
although  forty  have  been  described;  until  some  more 
tangible  distinctions  are  shown,  we  can  admit  but  one 
in  each  genus.* 

*  In  a  recent  work  on  these  fishes,  Prof.  August  Dumeril  very  laboriously 
distinguishes  the  following  "species"  among  the  specimens  of  Lepidosteus  in 
the  Museum  at  Paris: 

L.  osseus,  (L.)  (=  L.  gavialis,  Lac.);  L.  louisianensis,  Dum.  (=  L.  oxyurus, 
Raf.  =  Sarchirus  vititatus,  Raf.);  L.  harlani,  L.  ayresi,  I/,  smithii,  L.  copei,  L. 
lamarii,  L.  clintonii,  L.  troostii,  L.  piquotianus,  L.  lesueurii,  L.  elizabeth,  L. 
thompsoni,  L.  horatii,  L.  milberti,  L.  treculii,  Dumeril;  and!/,  huronensis.  Rich. 
Of  Cylindrosteus,  he  finds  C.  platystomus  (Raf.);  C.  productus  (Cope);  C.  pla- 
tyrhynchus  (DeK.);  C.  agassizii,  C,  raflnesquei,  C.  bartoni,  C.  castelnaudii  and 
C.  zadocM,  Dum. 

Most  of  these  nominal  species  are  based  upon  the  most  trifling  individual 
differences,  and  often  the  right  side  of  a  specimen  indicates  one  "  species,"  and 
the  left  another.  As  matters  stand,  we  have  no  alternative  but  to  reject  them 
all,  and  to  wait  for  the  time  when  systematic  writers  shall  be  wiser  or  more 
honest, 


308  FISHES. 

*  Large  teeth  on  the  maxillaries  in  a  single  row ;    species  of 

moderate  size,  2  to  5  feet  long. 
f  Snout  very  slender,  straight,  much  longer  than  the  rest  of  the 

head LEPIDOSTEUS,  1. 

ft  Snout  shortened,  rather  broad,  about  as  long  as  rest  of  head. 

CYLINDROSTEUS,  2 

**  Large  teeth  on  the  maxillaries  in  two  rows ;  snout  broad,  de- 
pressed, about  equal  to  rest  of  head ;  size  large,  length  5  to 
10  feet ,  .  .  *  LITHOLEPIS,  3. 

/.  LEPIDOSTEUS,  Lacepede.     LONG-NOSED  GARS. 
>  Sarchirus,  Raf.    (Young  with  the  pectoral  fins  fleshy.) 

1.  L  osseus,  (L.)  Ag.  GAR  PIKE.  BONY  GAR.  BILL 
FISH.  Head  nearly  3  in  length;  depth  nearly  1U;  snout 
more  than  twice  the  length  of  rest  of  head;  eye  nearly 
2i  in  distance  to  margin  of  preopercle,  more  than  2  in 
interorbital  space;  ventrals  midway  between  pectorals 
and  anal;  length  of  mandible  equals  distance  from  pec- 
torals to  anal;  olivaceous,  white  below;  sides  with  obscure 
spots,  more  evident  posteriorly;  vertical  fins  with  distinct 
round  black  spots;  D.  7;  A.  9;  lat.  line  64  to  66;  length 
2  to  5  feet.  N.  Y.  to  the  plains  and  South,  abundant  in 
large  bodies  of  water. 

2.  CYL/NDROSTEUStR&fLnesquQ.     SHORT  -  NOSED  GABS. 
<  Lepidosteus,  Agassiz. 

JL.  C.  platysiomus,  (Raf.)  Grd.  SHORT- NOSED  GAR 
PIKE.  Depth  7  to  8  in  length;  head  3| ;  eye  10  in  head, 
three  times  nearer  opercular  margin  than  end  of  snout; 
ventrals  much  nearer  P.  than  A. ;  length  of  head  notably 
shorter  than  from  P.  to  V.;  olivaceous,  sides  and  fins 
spotted  with  black;  D.  7;  A.  8;  lat.  1.  60  to  65.  Great 
Lakes  and  •  streams  S.  and  W.  of  N.  Y.  to  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, 


POLYODONTID^E.— CXIV.  309 

3.  LITHOLEPIS,  Rafinesque.    ALLIGATOR  GABS. 

=  Atractosteus,  Raf. 

1.  L.  adamant/nus,  Raf.  GREAT  GAR.  ALLIGATOR  GAR. 
DIAMOND  FISH.  Snout  broad,  depressed,  the  length  of 
the  cleft  of  the  mouth  being  about  half  the  length  of  the 
head;  color  olivaceous;  very  large,  reaching  a  length  of 
of  8  feet  or  more.  Mississippi  Valley,  N.  to  Illinois  and 
Ohio,  abundant  southward.  (A.  ferox,  Raf.,  but  the 
name  here  adopted  has  precedence.  Perhaps  some  still 
older  specific  name  may  be  found.) 


OEDEE  EE.-SELAOHOSTOMI. 

(The  Spoon-Bills.) 
This  order  contains  but  the  single  family  Polyodontidce. 

FAMILY  CXIV.  — POLYODONTID^E. 

(The  Spoon-Billed  Cats.) 

Body  elongated;  skin  naked,  with  minute  stellated 
roughnesses,  and  some  bony  plates  about  head  and  tail; 
mouth  very  wide,  not  inferior  but  overhung  by  the  long 
snout;  minute  teeth  on  lower  jaw,maxillariesand  palate, 
teeth  sometimes  deciduous  with  age ;  snout  produced  into 
a  very  long  and  spatula-like  process,  thin  and  flexible  at 
its  edges;  no  barbels;  caudal  with  fulcra,  as  in  Lepidos- 
teus,  heterocercal,  the  lower  lobe  well  developed;  opercle 
with  a  long  flap  reaching  to  pectorals,  or  beyond  and 
sometimes  to  ventrals;  spiracles  present;  no  tongue;  one 
broad  branchiostegal;  air  bladder  large,  communicating 
with  the  oesophagus;  intestine  with  a  well  developed 
spiral  valve;  stomach  ccecal,  with  a  broad  divided  pyloric 


310  FISHES. 

appendage.  Fresh  waters  of  U.  S.  and  China.  Species 
two;  P.  folium  from  the  Mississippi,  and  P.  gladius 
from  the  Yangtsekiang. 

/.  POLYODON,  Lacepede.     DUCK-BILLED  CATS. 

=  Spatularia,  Shaw. 

=  Planirostra,  LeSueur. 

1.  P.  folium,  Lacepede.  DUCK  -  BILLED  CAT.  SPOON- 
BILLED  STURGEON.  Snout  nearly  ^  of  length ;  opercular 
flap  reaching  much  beyond  pectorals;  fins  all  more  or  less 
falcate;  color  gray;  D.  55  to  60;  A.  56;  length  5  feet  or 
more.  Mississippi  and  its  larger  tributaries,  abundant. 
A  singular  fish,  bearing  considerable  resemblance  to  a 
Shark. 


OEDEE  FF.  -  CHOKDOESTEI. 

(The  Cartilaginous  Ganoids.) 
This  order  is  equivalent  to  the  family  Acipenseridce. 

FAMILY  CXV.— ACIPENSERID^E. 

(TJie  Sturgeons.) 

Body  elongate,  sub-cylindrical,  with  five  longitudinal 
rows  of  bony  shields,  the  lower  sometimes  deciduous; 
snout  produced;  mouth  entirely  inferior,  transverse, 
protractile,  toothless;  four  barbels  in  a  row  under  snout 
in  front  of  mouth;  vertical  fins  with  fulcra;  caudal  hete- 
rocercal;  dorsal  and  anal  far  back.  No  branchiostegals ; 
air  bladder  large,  not  cellular;  stomach  not  ccecal,  with 
pyloric  appendages;  intestines  with  spiral  valve;  distri- 
bution same  as  that  of  Salmo.  Fresh  waters  of  northern 
regions,  some  species  marine  and  entering  rivers. 
Genera  two;  species  twenty  (Giinther\  eighty  or  more 


POLYODONTIDJE. — CXIV.  311 

(August  Dume'ril).  Perhaps  in  no  group  has  the  making 
of  nominal  species  been  carried  to  a  greater  extent  than 
in  this. 

*  Rows  of  bony  bucklers  distinct  throughout ;    spiracles  present ; 

snout  rather  narrow,  sub-conical.        .        .        ACIPENSER,  1. 

**  Rows  of  bony  bucklers  confluent  behind,  entirely  surrounding 
the  depressed  tail ;  no  spiracles ;  snout  flattened,  rather  broad, 
shovel -shaped SCAPHIRHYNCHUS,  2. 

/.  ACIPENSER,  Linnaeus.     STURGEONS. 

*  Marine  species  ascending  rivers ;  lateral  shields  22  to  32. 

1.  A.  stur/'o,    L.     COMMON  SEA  STURGEON.     SHARP - 
NOSED  STURGEON.      Snout  pointed,  half  the  length  of 
head;    dorsal  shields  11  to  13;    lateral  shields  26  to  31; 
D.  37  to  44  rays.     Atlantic  Ocean  S.  to  Africa  and  West 
Indies.     (A.  oxyrhynchus^  Mit.,  the  American  form.) 

2.  A.  brevirosiris,  LeSueur.    BLUNT-NOSED  STURGEON. 
Snout  blunt,  one-quarter  length  of  head;  dorsal  shields 
8  to  10;  lateral  shields  22  to  28;    abdominal  8  to  10;  D. 
30  rays;  skin  with  minute  scattered  prickles  and  stellate 
ossifications.     Cape  Cod  to  Fla. 

**  Species  of  fresh  water ;  lateral  shields  33  to  38. 

3.  A.  macu/osuSf  LeSueur.     ROCK  STURGEON.     BONY 
STURGEON.      Snout  pointed,  nearly  as  long  as  rest  of 
head;    head  3^  in  length  of  body;    bony  shields  large, 
close  together,  13  to  16  in  front  of  dorsal,  33  to  38  on 
sides,  9  or  10  on  abdomen,  all  of  them  rough  and  strongly 
radiated,  with  more  or  less  hooked  or  incurved  tips;  skin 
rough;  D.  37  to  45.     Great  Lakes,  Ohio  B.  and  north- 
ward.    (Possibly  the  young  of  the  next  ?) 

4.  A.  rubicundus,  LeSueur.     RED  STURGEON.     LAKE 
STURGEON.     Head  4-J  in  length;    eye  10  in  head,  nearly 
midway;  dorsal  scutes  16  (to  base  of  D),  relatively  small 


312  FISHES. 

and  rather  distant;  lateral  scutes  35;  ventral  scutes  9; 
snout  rather  blunt,  becoming  more  so  with  age,  rather 
shorter  than  rest  of  head;  barbels  nearer  to  end  of  snout 
than  to  eye ;  scutes  relatively  smaller,  smoother  and  less 
crowded  than  in  the  preceding;  blackish,  sides  paler  or 
reddish;  length  2  to  6  feet;  D.  37.  Great  Lakes  and 
Western  Rivers. 

2.  SCAPHIRHYNCHUS,  Hajckel.     SHOVEL -NOSED  STUR- 
GEONS. 

1.  S.  platyrhynchus,  (Raf.)  Grd.  SHOVEL-NOSED  STUR- 
GEON. Tail  wider  than  deep,  extending  beyond  caudal 
rays  and  ending  in  a  filament;  snout  nearly  the  form  of 
a  spade;  whole  body  rough  with  small  prickles;  dorsal 
shields  15  or  16;  lateral  shields  40  to  46;  abdominal  10 
to  13;  all  the  shields  rough  and  strongly  carinated,  the 
keel  ending  behind  in  a  spine  which  points  backward; 
size  large.  Mississippi  Valley. 


LAMPREYS.  313 


(The  Lampreys?) 

Skeleton  cartilaginous,  without  ribs,  limbs,  shoulder 
girdle  nor  pelvic  elements;  skull  imperfectly  developed, 
without  true  jaws;  a  single  median  nostril;  gills  in  the 
form  of  fixed  sacs,  without  branchial  arches;  gill  sacs 
typically  seven  on  each  side ;  mouth  nearly  circular,  suc- 
torial; no  scales;  body  elongated,  eel-shaped;  alimentary 
canal  nearly  straight  and  simple;  no  arterial  bulb. 

(Class  VI.  —  ELASMOBRANCHII,  the  Selachians,  repre- 
sented on  our  Atlantic  Coast  by  many  species  of  Sharks 
and  Skates,  is  here  omitted,  as  its  members  are  exclusively 
marine,  and  it  does  not  therefore  come  within  the  scope 
of  this  treatise.  Class  VIII.  —  LEPTOCAKDII,  the  Lan- 
celets,  is  also  omitted  for  the  same  reason.  The  latter 
class  contains,  as  far  as  now  known,  but  a  single  genus, 
BRANCHIOSTOMA  or  Amphioxus,  with  two  or  three  species. 
One  of  these,  Branchiostoma  caribceum,  Sundevall,  occurs 
along  the  coast  of  our  South  Atlantic  States.) 

ORDERS  OF  MARSIPOBRANCHII. 

*  Nasal  duct  a  blind  sac,  not  penetrating  the  palate. 

HYPEROARTIA,  GG. 

**  Nasal  duct  penetrating  the  palate.       HYPEROTRETA,  page  313. 
GG.  FAMILIES  OF  HYPEROARTIA. 

*  Branchial  sacs  seven  on  each  side  •  intestine  with  spiral  valve. 

PETROMYZONTID.E,  116. 

FAMILIES  OF  HYPEROTRETA. 

*  One  external  aperture  on  each  side  of  body,  leading  by  six  ducts 

to  as  many  branchial  sacs ;   no  spiral  valve ;  marine  para- 
sites, burrowing  into  the  bodies  of  other  fishes. 

Myxinida,  the  Hag  Fishes. 
14 


314  LAMPREYS. 


OEDEK  Ga.-HTPEEOAETIA. 

(The  Lampreys.) 

FAMILY  CXVL  —  PETROMYZONTID^E. 

(The   Lampreys.) 

Body  eel-shaped,  naked;  dorsal  and  anal  fins  long  and 
low,  usually  continuous  with  the  caudal;  mouth  suctorial, 
armed  with  horny  teeth  which  rest  on  papillae.  Eggs 
small. 

These  animals  undergo  a  metamorphosis;  the  young 
are  usually  toothless,  and  have  the  eyes  rudimentary. 
Genera  five  or  six,  in  temperate  regions,  found  in  all 
waters.  They  attach  themselves  to  fishes  and  other  ani- 
mals, and  feed  by  scraping  off  the  flesh,  by  means  of  their 
rasp-like  teeth. 

The  American  species  are  still  very  imperfectly  known. 
Until  quite  recently  the  larvae  were  considered  as  form- 
ing distinct  genera,  which  have  been  termed  Ammocoetes, 
jScolecosoma^  CTiilopterus,  etc. 

*  Dorsal  fins  two,  nearly  or  quite  distinct,  tlie  second  continuous 
with  the  caudal;  "maxillary  tooth  bicuspid." 

PETROMYZON,  1. 

**  Dorsal  fin  single,  continuous  with  the  caudal ;  "  maxillary  tooth 
tricuspid." ICHTHYOMYZON,  2. 

/.  PETROMYZON,  Linnasus.    LAMPREYS. 

>  AmmocceteS)  Dumeril,  (jLarvce.) 
1.  P.  marinus,  (L.)  var.  americanus,  (LeS.)  Wilder. 
GREAT  SEA  LAMPREY.  Resembles  the  next,  but  larger, 
with  a  shorter  head,  which  is  but  little  longer  than  the 
"chest"  (space  occupied  by  the  branchial  openings); 
color  olive  brown,  mottled  with  black;  L.  30  to  40. 
Marine,  ascending  rivers,  eastward. 


PBTEOMYZONTID^!. — CXVI.  815 

2.  P.  nigricans,  LeS.     LAKGE  BLACK  LAMPREY.   Head 
very  large,  longer  than  the  "chest,"  6-J  in  length;  depth 
about  13;  body  little  compressed;  dorsal  fins  rather  low, 
distinctly  separated;    eyes  and  mouth  very  large;    a  de- 
pression between  eyes  and  snout;  a  single  bicuspid  tooth 
in  front  of  oesophagus;    mandibulary  plate  curved,  with 
about  eight  pointed  teeth;    rest  of  mouth  covered  with 
rather  large  teeth  disposed  in  oblique  cross-rows,  five  or 
more   in  each   row;    lips  fringed;    L.   12.      Lakes  and 
streams,  Cayuga  L.,  N.  Y.  (TPV&fer),  and  E.;  properly  a 
marine  species.      (Several  other  Lampreys  have  been 
described  from  our  Eastern  streams  and  coast,  but  they 
are  very  doubtful.) 

3.  P.  niger,   Raf.      SMALL  BLACK  LAMPKEY.     Head 
moderate,  longer  than  "chest,"  8J  in  total  length;  depth 
14;  body  scarcely  compressed  except  behind;  dorsal  fins 
rather  high,  slightly  connected;  eyes  large;  mouth  rather 
small,  two  rather  large  teeth  well  apart  in  front  of  oeso- 
phagus; mandibulary  plate  nearly  straight,  with  about 
eight  sub-equal  teeth;  a  few  scattering  teeth  on  sides  of 
mouth;  snout  rounded;    dark  blue  black,  unspotted,  sil- 
very below;  L.  8  to  11.     Great  Lakes,  Upper  Miss,  and 
Ohio  Valley,   abundant  in   many  localities,   ascending 
small  brooks  in  the  spring. 

2.  ICHTHYOMYZON,  Girard.    LAMPERNS. 
>  Scolecosoma^  Grd.  (JLarvce.) 

1.  /.  argenteus,  (Kirt.)  Grd.  SILVERY  LAMPREY.  Head 
quite  small,  shorter  than  "chest,"  about  10  in  length; 
depth  nearly  the  same,  in  adult;  body  stout,  compressed; 
dorsal  fin  very  high,  with  a  shallow  depression;  eyes  dis- 
tinct in  adult,  concealed  in  young;  mouth  small,  with 
inconspicuous  teeth;  color  ashy  silvery,  with  numerous 


316  LAMPREYS. 

small  black  dots;  larger  ones  above  the  gill  openings; 
L.  12.  Great  Lakes  and  Ohio  Valley,  E.  to  N.  Y.,  fre- 
quent. (Ammoccetes  concolor,  Kirt.,  A.  cepyptera,  Ab- 
bott.) 

2.  /.  casta neus,  Grd.     Chestnut-colored  without  spots; 
eyes  inconspicuous;  "  mandibulary  plate  with  nine  teeth." 
Minn. 

3.  /.  hirudo,  Grd.      Grayish,  unspotted;    eyes  small; 
"mandibulary  plate  with  seven  teeth."     Ark. 


ADDENDA. 


(Page  233.) 

G/ossop/ites  me/anops,  (Grd.)  Jordan.  Two  fine  spe- 
cimens, 6  inches  long,  of  this  species,  taken  in  Lake 
Michigan,  June,  1876,  show  the  following  characters  in 
addition  to  those  given  in  the  text: 

Dark  olive  green  above;  sides  greenish  and  brassy 
with  blotches  of  pale  blue  and  bright  coppery  red — the 
latter  shade  predominating;  belly  bright  brassy  yellow, 
profusely  mottled  with  bright  red;  lower  jaw  chiefly  yel- 
low; iris  bright  red,  as  in  most  Sun  Fishes;  opercular 
spot  as  large  as  eye,  black,  bordered  with  copper  color; 
three  or  four  wide  dark  red  bands  radiating  backwards 
from  eye  across  cheeks  and  opercles,  separated  by  nar- 
row pale  blue  ones;  upper  fins  barred  with  black,  orange 
and  blue,  the  former  color  predominating;  lower  fins 
blackish;  a  small  faint  black  spot  on  last  rays  of  dorsal; 
dorsal  spines  moderately  high,  very  stout,  the  longest  as 
long  as  from  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  head  2f  in  length; 
depth  2-J-;  eye  as  long  as  snout,  4  to  5  in  head;  mucous 
pores  about  head  very  large. 

(Page  235.) 

fchthe/is  incisor,  (C.  &  V.)  Holbr.  Some  very  large 
specimens,  taken  in  Lake  Michigan,  have  the  depth 
considerably  more  than  half  length,  the  flap  very  large 
and  broad,  sometimes  an  inch  square,  and  the  dorsal  spot 

(317) 


318  ADDENDA. 

quite  obscure.  Occasionally  the  body  is  almost  orbicular 
in  form,  the  profile  being  nearly  vertical.  Some  speci- 
mens have  the  belly  strongly  tinged  with  orange  red. 

(Page  300.) 

"  Ictalurus  nigricans."  The  great  Fork-Tailed  Cat- 
Fish  of  the  Lakes,  mentioned  in  the  text  under  the  above 
name,  is  an  Amiurus,  and  should  stand  as  Amiurus  nigri- 
cans, (LeS.)  Gill. 

A  specimen  two  feet  long,  taken  in  Lake  Michigan, 
shows  the  following  characters  :  Tail  strongly  forked; 
supra-occipital  bone  free  behind;  head  small,  4^  in 
length,  its  width  5;  upper  jaw  much  longer  than  lower; 
barbels  very  long,  longest  reaching  much  beyond 
opercle;  body  heavy  and  deep,  the  depth  being  about 
4  in  length;  body  wider  than  head;  dorsal  outline  ele- 
vated; color  blackish,  somewhat  mottled,  white  below; 
D.  I,  6;  P.  I,  10;  A.  25.  (A.  nigricans  of  Giinther  and 
of  Cope  is  described  as  having  the  caudal  fin  truncate 
which  it  certainly  is  not  in  this  species.) 


GLOSSAET 

OP    THE 

PRINCIPAL  TECHNICAL  TERMS 

USED  IN  THIS  WORK.* 


Abdomen— Belly. 

Abdominal — Pertaining  to  the  belly — said  ol  the  ventral  fins  of 
fishes  when  inserted  considerably  behind  the  pectorals,  away 
from  the  shoulder  girdle. 

Abortive — Remaining  or  becoming  imperfect. 

Acuminate — Tapering  gradually  to  a  point. 

Acute — Sharp-pointed. 

Adipose  fin — A  peculiar,  fleshy,  fin-like  projection  on  the  backs 
of  Salmons,  Cat  Fishes,  etc.,  behind  the  dorsal  fin. 

Air  bladder — A  sac  filled  with  air,  lying  beneath  the  back-bone  of 
fishes,  corresponding  to  the  lungs  of  the  higher  vertebrates. 

Allantois — An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Altrices — Birds  reared  in  the  nest  and  fed  by  the  parents. 

Altricial — Having  the  nature  of  Altrices. 

Alula— The  feathers  attached  to  the  "  thumb  "  of  a  bird. 

Alveolar  surface— A.  portion  of  the  jaw  of  a  turtle,  where  the 
teeth-sockets  (alveola)  might  be  expected  to  be. 

Amnion — An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Amphiccelian — Biconcave — said  of  vertebrae. 

Anadromous— Said  of  marine  fishes  which  run  up  rivers  to  spawn. 

Anal — Pertaining  to  the  anus  or  vent. 

Anal  fin — The  fin  on  the  median  line,  behind  the  vent,  in  fishes. 

Anal  plate — The  plate,  immediately  in  front  of  the  vent,  in  ser- 
pents. 

*  In  the  preparation  of  this  Glossary,  the  author  has  largely  drawn  from 
Dr.  Coues'  "  Glossary  of  the  Technical  Terms  used  in  Descriptive  Ornithology," 
in  Baird,  Brewer  and  Ridgway's  History  of  North  American  Birds,  Vol.  III. 
pp.  535—560. 

(319) 


320  GLOSSARY. 

Anteorbital  plate — The  plate,  in  front  of  the  eye,  in  serpents. 

Antrorse — Turned  forwards. 

Anus — The  external  opening  of  the  intestines. 

Arterial  bulb — The  muscular  swelling,  at  the  base  of  the  great 

artery,  in  fishes,  etc. 
Articulated— Jointed. 
Artiodactylous — Even-toed  (toes  2  or  4.) 
Attenuate — Long  and  slender,  as  if  drawn  out. 
Auricle — The  large  lobe  of  the  external  ear ;    also,  one  of  the 

chambers  of  the  heart. 
Barbel — An  elongated  fleshy  projection,  usually  about  the  head, 

in  fishes. 

Basal — Pertaining  to  the  base ;  at  or  near  the  base. 
Beak — The  bill  of  birds,  or  (in  other  animals)  any  beak-like 

structure. 

Bend  of  Wing — Angle  at  the  carpus  when  the  wing  is  folded. 
Bicolor — Two-colored. 
Booted — Said  of  the  tarsus,  when  its  scales  coalesce  and  form  a 

continuous  envelope. 

BrancJiicB — Gills ;  respiratory  organs  of  fishes,  etc. 
Branchial — Pertaining  to  the  gills. 
Branchiostegals — The  bony  rays  supporting  the  branchiostegal 

membranes,  under  the  head  of  a  fish,  below  the  opercular 

bones,  and  behind  the  lower  jaw. 
Bristle— A  stiff  hair,  or  hair-like  feather. 
Caducous — Falling  off  early. 

Calcareous — Containing  or  composed  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
Canines — The  teeth  behind  the  incisors  —  the  "eye-teeth";    in 

fishes,  teeth  in  the  front  part  of  the  jaws,  longer  than  the 

others. 

Carapace — The  upper  part  of  the  shell  of  a  turtle. 
Carinate — Keeled,  having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Carpus — The  wrist. 
Caudal — Pertaining  to  the  tail. 
Caudal  fin — The  fin  on  the  tail  of  fishes. 
Caudal  peduncle — The  region  between  the  anal  and  caudal  fins  in 

fishes. 
Cavernous — Containing  cavities,  either  empty  or  filled  with  a 

mucous  secretion. 


GLOSSARY.  321 

Cere — Fleshy,  cutaneous  or  membranous  covering  of  the  base  of 
the  bill  in  many  birds,  particularly  the  Owls,  Hawks,  and 
Parrots. 

Cervical — Pertaining  to  the  neck. 

Chiasma — Crossing  of  the  fibres  of  the  optic  nerve. 

Chin — The  space  between  the  forks  of  the  lower  jaw. 

Ciliated — Fringed  with  eye-lash-like  projections. 

Cinereous — Ashy  in  color. 

Clamatorial — Pertaining  to  or  like  the  Clamatores. 

Clavicle — The  collar  bone. 

Coseal — Of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac. 

Caecum — An  appendage  of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac,  connected  with 
the  alimentary  canal. 

Commissure — The  line  on  which  the  mandibles  of  a  bird  are  closed. 

Compressed — Flattened  laterally. 

Condyle — Articulating  surface  of  a  bone. 

Conirostral — Said  of  a  bill  like  that  of  a  Sparrow;  conical  in 
form  and  with  the  commissure  angulated. 

Costal  folds — Folds  of  the  skin  (of  a  Salamander)  showing  the 
position  of  the  ribs. 

Crest — In  birds,  any  lengthened  feathers  about  the  head;  else- 
where, any  elevated  or  crest-like  projection. 

Crissum — The  under  tail  coverts,  in  birds. 

Ctenoid — Rough-edged,  said  of  scales  when  the  posterior  margin 
is  minutely  spinous  or  pectinated. 

Culmen — The  middle  line  or  ridge  of  the  upper  mandible  in  birds. 

Cuneate — Wedge-shaped ;  said  of  a  bird's  tail  when  the  middle 
feathers  are  longest  and  the  rest  regularly  shorter. 

Cycloid — Smooth-edged ;  said  of  scales  not  ctenoid,  but  concen* 
trically  striate. 

Deciduous — Temporary,  falling  off. 

Decurved — Curved  downward. 

Dentate — With  tooth-like  notches. 

Dentirostral — Having  the  bill  notched  near  its  tip. 

Depressed — Flattened  vertically. 

Depth — Vertical  diameter  (usually  of  the  body  of  fishes.) 

Dermal — Pertaining  to  the  skin. 

Diaphanous — Translucent. 

Digitigrade — Walking  on  the  toes,  like  a  dog. 

Dorsal — Pertaining  to  the  back. 
21 


322  GLOSSARY. 

Dorsal  fin — The  fin  on  the  back  of  fishes. 

Emarginate — Slightly  forked  or  notched  at  the  tip,  or  sometimes 

abruptly  narrowed  (said  of  quills.) 
Endoskeleton — The  skeleton  proper — the  inner  bony  framework  of 

the  body. 

Epignathous — Having  the  bill  hooked. 
Erectile — Susceptible  of  being  raised  or  erected. 
Even — (Tail)  having  all  the  feathers  of  equal  length. 
Exoskeleton — Hard  parts  on  the  surface  of  the  body. 
Exserted — Projecting  beyond  the  general  level. 
Facial — Pertaining  to  the  face. 
Falcate — Scythe-shaped ;  long,  narrow,  and  curved. 
Falciform — Curved,  like  a  scythe. 
Fasciated — With  broad  colored  bands. 

Fauna — The  animals  inhabiting  any  region,  taken  collectively. 
Ferrugineous — Rusty  red. 
Fibula — The  small  outer  leg  bone. 
Filament — Any  slender  or  thread-like  structure. 
Filiform  —Thread-form. 
Fissirostral — Having  the  bill  very  deeply  cleft,  beyond  the  base  of 

the  horny  part,  as  in  the  Swallows. 
.ForeJiead— Frontal  curve  of  head. 
Foramen — A  hole  or  opening. 
Forficate — Deeply  forked. 

Fosses — The  grooves  in  which  the  nostrils  of  many  birds  open. 
Fossorial — Adapted  for  digging. 
Fulcra — Rudimentary  spine-like  scales  extending  up  the  fins  of 

some  fishes. 

Fuliginous — Sooty  or  smoky  brown. 
Furcate — Forked. 
Fuscous — Dark  brown. 
Fusiform — Spindle-shaped ;  tapering  toward  both  ends  but  rather 

more  abruptly  forward. 
Gape — Opening  of  the  mouth. 

Ganoid — Scales  or  plates  of  bone  covered  by  enamel. 
Gastrosteges—  Band-like  plates  along  the  belly  of  a  serpent. 
Gills — Organs  for  breathing  the  air  contained  in  water. 
GiU  openings — Openings  leading  to  or  from  the  branchiae. 
Gill  rakers — A  series  of  structures  like  comb-teeth  in  the  mouth 

of  some  fishes. 


GLOSSABY.  323 

Glabrous — Smooth. 

Gonys — The  middle  line  of  the  lower  mandible. 

Gorget — Throat  patch  of  peculiar  feathers. 

Graduated — Said  of  a  bird's  tail  when  the  outer  feathers   are 

regularly  shorter. 

Granulate — Rough  with  small  prominences. 
Gular — Pertaining  to  the  gula,  or  upper  fore-neck. 
Guttate — With  rounded,  drop-shaped  spots. 
Hallux — The  great  toe — in  birds,  the  hind  toe. 
Height — Vertical  diameter — practically  the  same  as  depth. 
Heterocercal — Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish,  when  unequal — the  back- 
bone evidently  running  into  the  upper  lobe. 
Hirsute — With  shaggy  hairs. 
Homocercal — Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish  when  not  evidently  unequal ; 

the  back-bone  apparently  stopping  at  the  middle  of  the  base 

of  the  caudal  fin. 

Humerus — Bone  of  the  upper  arm. 
Hyoid — Pertaining  to  the  tongue. 
Hypognathous — Having  the  lower  mandible  longer  than  the  upper, 

as  in  the  Black  Skimmer. 

Imbricate — Overlapping,  like  shingles  on  a  roof. 
Imperforate — Not  pierced  through. 
Inarticulate — Not  jointed. 
Incisors — The  front  or  cutting  teeth. 
Interfemoral  membrane — The  membrane  connecting  the  posterior 

limbs  of  a  bat. 
Intermaxillaries — The  bones  between  the  superior  maxillaries, 

forming  the  middle  of  the  front  part  of  the  upper  jaw,  in 

fishes :  the  premaxillaries. 
Jugular — Pertaining  to  the  lower  throat— said  of  the  ventral  fins, 

when  placed  in  advance  of  the  attachment  of  the  pectorals. 
Keeled — See  Garinate. 

Labials — Plates  forming  the  lip  of  a  serpent. 
Lamella — Plate-like  processes  inside  of  the  bill  of  a  duck. 
Lamellate — Said  of  a  bill  provided  with  lamellae,  as  in  a  duck. 
Lateral — To  or  towards  the  side. 
Lateral  line — A  series  of  muciferous  tubes  ,  forming  a  raised  line 

along  the  sides  of  a  fish. 
Laterally — Sidewise. 
Locate — Furnished  with  membranous  flaps — said  of  the  toes  of  birds. 


324  GLOSSAKY. 

Longitudinal — Kunning  lengthwise. 

Loral  plate — Plate  between  eye  and  mouth  of  a  serpent. 

Lore — Space  between  eye  and  bill. 

Mailed  cJieeks — Having  the  suborbital  bone  extending  over  the 

cheeks,  articulating  with  the  preopercle  (cheeks  not  neces- 
sarily hard  or  bony) ;  said  of  some  fishes. 
Mandible — Under  jaw  (or  in  birds,  either  jaw.) 
Maxilla — Upper  jaw. 
Maxillaries — Outermost  or  hindmost  bones  of  the  upper  jaw,  in 

fishes. 

Metacarpus — The  hand  proper,  exclusive  of  the  fingers. 
Metatarsus — The  foot  proper.    (See  Tarsus) 
Molars — The  grinding  teeth;  posterior  teeth  in  the  jaw. 
Moniliform — Necklace-shaped — widened  at  regular  intervals. 
Monogamous — Pairing ;  said  of  birds. 
Muciferous — Producing  or  containing  mucus. 
Nape — Upper  part  of  neck,  next  to  the  occiput. 
Nasal — Pertaining  to  the  nostrils. 
Neural—  Pertaining  to  nerves. 

Nictitating  membrane — The  third  or  inner  eye-lid,  of  birds,  etc. 
Nuchal — Pertaining  to  the  nape  or  nucha. 
Obscure — Dark,  scarcely  visible. 
Obsolete — Faintly  marked ;  little  evident. 
Obtuse — Blunt. 

Occipital — Pertaining  to  the  occiput. 
Occipital  plates— Plates  on  the  head  of  a  serpent,  behind  the 

vertical  plate. 
Occiput — Back  of  the  head. 
.Ocellate—  With  eye -like  spots,  generally  roundish  and  with  a 

lighter  border. 
Ocherous — Brownish  yellow. 
Oid  (suffix) — Like— as  Percoid,  perch-like. 
Operde,  or  operculum—  Gill  cover;  the  posterior  membrane  bone 

of  the  side  of  the  head,  in  fishes. 
Opercular  bones — Membrane  bones  of  the  side  of  the  head,  in 

fishes. 
Opercular  flap — Prolongation  of  the  upper  posterior  angle  of  the 

opercle,  in  Sun -Fishes,  etc. 

OpistJwccelian — Concave  behind ;  said  of  vertebrae. 
Orbicular — Nearly  circular. 


GLOSSARY.  325 

Orbit — Eye  socket. 

Oscine — Musical. 

Oscine  tarsus — By  ellipsis,  tarsus  as  in  oscine  birds ;  i.  e.y  its 
envelope  undivided  behind  and  forming  a  sharp  ridge. 

Oviparous — Producing  eggs  which  are  developed  after  exclusion 
from  the  body,  as  in  all  birds. 

Ovommparous — Producing  eggs  which  are  hatched  before  exclu- 
sion, as  in  the  Blind  Fish  and  Garter  Snake. 

Palate— The  roof  of  the  mouth— in  fishes,  a  part  of  the  roof  of  the 
mouth,  lying  behind  the  vomer  and  in  front  of  the  pharyngeals 
(not  to  be  confounded  with  either.) 

Palatines — Bones  of  the  palate. 

Palmate — Web-footed,  having  the  anterior  toes  full-webbed. 

Papilla — A  small,  fleshy  projection. 

Papillose — Covered  with  papillae. 

Paragnathous — Having  the  two  mandibles  about  equal  in  length. 

Pectinate — Having  teeth  like  a  comb. 

Pectoral — Pertaining  to  the  breast. 

Pectoral  fins — The  anterior  or  uppermost  of  the  paired  fins,  in 
fishes,  corresponding  to  the  anterior  limbs  of  the  higher 
Vertebrates. 

Pelage — The  hair  of  a  Mammal,  taken  collectively. 

Pelagic — Living  on  or  in  the  high  seas. 

Perforate — Pierced  through;  said  of  nostrils  when  without  a 
septum. 

Perissodactylous — Odd-toed  (toes  1,  3,  or  5.) 

Peritoneum — The  membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity. 

Phalanges — Bones  of  .the  fingers  and  toes. 

Pharyngeal  bones — Bones  at  the  beginning  of  the  oesophagus  of 
fishes,  of  various  forms,  almost  always  provided  with  teeth. 

Pharyngognathous — Having  the  lower  pharyngeal  bones  united. 

Pigment — Coloring  matter. 

Plantigrade — Walking  on  the  sole  of  the  foot,  as  do  men  and 
bears. 

Plastron — Lower  shell  of  a  turtle. 

Plicate — Folded ;  showing  transverse  folds  or  wrinkles. 

Plumage—  The  feathers  of  a  bird,  taken  collectively. 

Plumbeous — Lead-colored — dull  bluish  gray. 

Pollex — Thumb ;  in  birds,  the  digit  which  bears  the  alula — corre- 
sponding to  the  index  finger. 


326  GLOSSARY. 

Polygamous — Mating  with  more  than  one  female. 

PrcBCoces — Birds  able  to  run  about  and  feed  themselves  at  birth. 

PrcBCodal — Having  the  nature  of  Prcecoces. 

Premaxillaries — Same  as  intermaxillaries. 

Premolars — The  small  grinders ;   the  teeth  between  the  canines 

and  the  true  molars. 
Preopercle — The  membrane  bone  lying  in  front  of  the  opercle  and 

more  or  less  nearly  parallel  with  it;  the  " false  gill  covers." 
Primary— Any  one  of  the  ten  (often  nine,  rarely  eleven)  of  the 

large,  stiff  quills  growing  upon  the  pinion  or  hand-bone  of  a 

bird,  as  distinguished  from  the  secondaries,  which  grow  upon 

the  fore  arm. 
Primary  Wing  Coverts — The  coverts  overlying  the  bases  of  the 

primaries. 

Projectile — Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 
Protractile — Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 
Pulmonary — Pertaining  to  the  lungs. 
Punctate — Dotted  with  points. 
Pyloric  cceca — Glandular  appendages  in  the  form  of  blind  sacs 

opening  into  the  alimentary  canal  of  many  fishes  at  the 

pylorus  or  passage  from  the  stomach  to  the  intestine. 
Quadrate — Nearly  square. 

Quadrilocular — Four-chambered — said  of  the  heart. 
Quill— One  of  the  stiff  feathers  of  the  wing  or  tail  of  a  bird. 

Quincunx — Set  of  five  arranged  alternately,  thus    * 

Radius — Outer  bone  of  fore  arm. 

Ray — One  of  the  cartilaginous  rods  which  support  the  membrane 

of  the  fin  of  a  fish. 

Rectrices — Quills  of  the  tail  of  a  bird. 
Recurved — Curved  upward. 
Remiges — Quills  of  the  wing  of  a  bird. 
Reticulate — Marked  with  a  network  of  lines. 
Retractile — Susceptible  of  being  drawn  inward,  as  a  cat's  claw. 
Retrorse— Directed  backward. 
Rictal — Pertaining  to  the  rictus,  as  rictal  bristles. 
Rictus — Gape  of  the  mouth. 
Rostral — Pertaining  to  the  snout,  as  rostral  plate. 
Rudimentary — Undeveloped. 


GLOSSARY.  327 

Ruff— A  series  of  modified  feathers. 

Scansorial—  Capable  of  climbing. 

Scansorial  tail — Tail  feathers  sharp  and  stiff,  as  in  the  scansorial 

birds  (Woodpeckers). 
Scapula — Shoulder  blade. 
Scutellate— Provided  with  scutella  ;  said  of  the  tarsus  when 

covered  with  broad  plates  in  a  regular  vertical  series,  and 

separated  by  regular  lines  of  impression. 
Scutellum — One  of  the  tarsal  plates  or  scutella. 
Secondaries — The  quills  growing  on  the  fore  arm. 
Second  dorsal — The  posterior  or  soft  part  of  the  dorsal  fin,  when 

the  two  parts  are  distinctly  separated. 
Sectorial  tooth — One  of  the  premolars  of  carnivora,  adapted  for 

cutting. 
Semipalmate — Half -webbed ;  having  the  anterior  toes  more  or  less 

connected  at  base  by  a  webbing  which  does  not  extend  to  the 

claws. 

Septum — A  thin  partition. 
Serrate — Notched,  like  a  saw. 
Sessile— Without  a  stem  or  peduncle. 
Setaceous — Bristly. 
Slwulder  girdle — The  bony  girdle  posterior  to  the  head,  in  fishes, 

etc.,  to  which  the  anterior  limbs  are  attached. 
Soft  dorsal — The  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  in  fishes,  when 

composed  of  soft  rays. 

Soft  rays — Fin -rays  which  are  branching  and  articulate. 
Spine — Any  sharp  projecting  point;   in  fishes,   those   fin -rays 

which  are  unbranched,  inarticulate,  and  usually  more  or  less 

stiffened. 

Spinous— Stiff,  or  composed  of  spines. 
Spinous  dorsal — The  anterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  in  fishes, 

when  composed  of  spinous  rays. 
Spiracles — Openings   in  the  head  or  neck  of  some   fishes  and 

Batrachians. 

Spurious — Said  of  the  first  primary  when  less  than  about  one- 
third  the  length  of  the  second.    (The  student  will  notice  that 

in  Oscines  the  presence  of  a  short  or  spurious  quill  indicates 

ten  primaries ;  its  absence,  nine.) 
Sternum — The  breast  bone. 
Striate — Striped  or  streaked. 


328  GLOSSARY. 

Sub  (in  composition)  —  Less  than ;  somewhat ;  not  quite ;  under, 
etc. 

Suffrage — Heel  joint;  tibio — tarsal  joint. 

Sub-caudal — Under  the  tail. 

Sub-opercle — The  bone  immediately  below  the  opercle. 

Sub-orbital — Below  the  eye. 

Subulate — Awl-shaped. 

Superciliary — Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  eyebrow. 

Supra-orbital — Above  the  eye. 

Syndactyle — Having  two  toes  immovably  united  for  some  distance 
— as  in  the  Kingfisher. 

Synonym — A  different  word  having  the  same  or  a  similar  meaning. 

Tail — In  mammals,  the  vertebrae,  etc.,  posterior  to  the  sacrum ;  in 
birds,  the  tail-feathers  or  rectrices,  taken  collectively ;  in  ser- 
pents, the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  vent ;  in  fishes 
(usually),  the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  anal  fin. 
(Everywhere  used  more  or  less  vaguely.) 

Tail  Coverts — The  small  feathers  overlapping  the  bases  of  the 
rectrices. 

Tarso-metatarsus — The  correct  name  for  the  so-called  tarsus  of 
birds ;  the  bone  reaching  from  the  tibia  to  the  toes,  composed 
chiefly  of  the  metatarsus,  but  having  at  its  top  one  of  the 
small  tarsal  bones  confluent  with  it. 

Tarsus — The  ankle-bones  collectively ;  in  birds*  commonly  used 
for  the  shank-bone,  lying  between  the  tibia  and  the  toes,  the 
tarso-metatarsus. 

Tectrices — The  wing  and  tail  coverts. 

Temporal — Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  temples. 

Tenuirostral — Slender-billed. 

Terete — Cylindrical  and  tapering. 

Terminal — At  the  end. 

Tertials — The  quills  attached  to  the  humerus. 

Tessellated — Marked  with  little  checks  or  squares,  like  mosaic 
work. 

Thoracic — Pertaining  to 'the  chest;  ventral  fins  are  thoracic  when 
attached  immediately  below  the  pectorals,  as  in  the  perch. 

Tibia — Shin-bone ;  inner  bone  of  leg  between  knee  and  heel. 

Tomium — Cutting  edge  of  the  bill. 

Totipalmate — Having  all  four  toes  connected  by  webbing. 

Tragus — The  inner  lobe  of  the  ear ;  the  lobe  opposite  the  auricle. 


GLOSSARY.  329 

Transverse — Crosswise. 

Trenchant — Compressed  to  a  sharp  edge. 

Truncate — Abrupt,  as  if  cut  squarely  off. 

Tubercle — A  small  excrescence,  like  a  pimple. 

Tympanum — Drum  of  the  ear ;  external  in  some  Batrachia. 

Typical — Of  a  structure  the  most  usual  in  a  given  group. 

Ulna — The  inner  or  posterior  bone  of  the  fore-arm. 

Ungulate — Provided  with  hoofs. 

Unguiculate — Provided  with  claws. 

Unicolor — Of  a  single  color. 

Urosteges—The  plates  underneath  the  tail  of  a  serpent 

Vent — The  external  opening  ot  the  alimentary  canal. 

Ventral — Pertaining  to  the  abdomen. 

Ventral  fins — The  paired  fins  behind  or  below  the  pectoral  fins 

in  fishes,  corresponding  to  the  posterior  limbs  in  the  higher 

vertebrates. 

Ventral  plates — Gastrosteges  in  serpents. 
Ventricle — One  of  the  chambers  of  the  heart. 
Versatile — Capable  of  being  turned  either  way. 
Vertebra — One  of  the  bones  of  the  spine. 
Vertical — Up  and  down. 
Vertical  fins — The  fins  on  the  median  line  of  the  body;  the  dorsal, 

anal  and  caudal  fins. 

Vertical  plate—  Central  plate  on  the  head  of  a  serpent. 
Villiform— Said  of  the  teeth  of  fishes  when  slender  and  crowded 

into  velvety  bands. 
Viscous — Slimy;  viscid. 
Vitta — A  band  of  color. 
Viviparous — Bringing  forth  living  young. 
Vomer — In  fishes,  the  front  part  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth ;  a  bone 

lying  immediately  behind  the  premaxillaries. 
Web — The  vane  of  a  feather,  on  either  side  of  the  rhachis  or 

"  stem  " ;  also,  the  membrane  connecting  the  toes. 
Zygodactyle — Yoke-toed ;  having  the  toes  in  pairs  —  two  in  front, 

two  behind. 
Zygoma — The  malar  or  cheek  bone. 


INDEX   TO   NAMES 
GENERA  AND  HIGHER  GROUPS, 

"WITH  THEIR  DERIVATIONS. 


NOTE. — In  this  index,  names  of  genera  recognized  in  this 
work  are  printed  in  ordinary  type,  as  Dendrceca;  families  and 
higher  groups  in  small  capitals,  as  EMYDIDJS;  synonyms  and 
sub -genera  in  italics,  as  Amblodon.  In  giving  the  etymology  of 
terms,  all  words  not  otherwise  designated  are  understood  to  he 
Greek;  L.  indicates  Latin.  Greek  words  are  here,  for  con- 
venience, printed  in  Roman  characters. 


PAGE. 

Abastor:  a  coined  name,  .  .  181 
Ablabes:  ablabes,  harmless,  .  179 
A br amis :  L..  a  bream,  .  .  291 
Acantharchus :  aTcantha  —  spine ; 

archos— anal  (many  anal  spines)  232 
ACANTHOPTERI:  akantho— spine; 

pteron— fin 215 

Accipiter:  L.,  ahawk,  .  .  113 
Acipenser:  L.,  a  sturgeon  (sharp 

fins) 311 

ACIPENSERID^E:  .  .  .  310 
Acomus:  meaningless,  .  .  293 
Acris :  L.,  sharp  —  from  the  note,  190 
Actiturus:  actaino  —  to  move 

quickly;  our  a  —  tail  (wagtail),  129 
Actodromas:  akte  —  sea  beach; 

dromos  —  a  running,  .  .  127 
^ffigialitis:  aigialites  —  pertaining 

to  the  shore,  ....  121 
^giothus:  aigiothos  —  a  hedge 

sparrow, 82 

jUSsalon:  aisalon— a  merlin  (kind 

of  hawk) Ill 

Agelseus:  agelaios  —  gregarious,  92 
Aix:  aix  —  a  goat,  ...  142 


PAGE. 

ALAUDHXE:  L.,  alauda—  a  lark 

(L.,  laudo  to  praise),  .  .  56 
Alburnellus:  Dim.  of  Alburnus 

the  Bleak  (from  L.  albus,  white)  289 
Albumops:  Alburnus-like,      .       282 
Alee:  an  elk  (Scandinavian),    .         21 
ALCEDINID^E  :  L.,  alcedo— a  King- 
fisher  101 

ALECTORIDES:  aleTttor— a  cock; 

eidos  —  likeness,  .  .  .  134 
Alligator:  L.,  one  who  binds,  157 
Alosa:  German,  alse— ashad,  265 
Alvordius:  to  Major  Alvord,  .  222 
Amblodon:  amblus  —  blunt;  odon 

tooth, 241 

Ambloplites  :     amblus  —  blunt ; 

hop  lites— armed,  .  .  .  231 
AMBLYOPSIDJE:  ....  256 
Amblyopsis;  amblus— blunt;  opsis 

vision, 257 

Amblystoma:     amblus  —  blunt ; 

stoma — mouth 194 

AMBLYSTOMID^E:        .      .      .      194 
Amia:    name  of   some  sea-fish, 
probably  the  bonito,        .      .      306 


(331) 


332 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

AMIID.E: 305 

Amiurus:  o  — not;  meiouros  — 

notched  (the  tail),  .  .  .  300 
Ammocoetes:  ammokoites  —  lying 

in  the  sand,  ....  314 
Anun odromus :  ammos  —  sand  ; 

dromos— running,  ...  84 
Ampells:  ampeUs— a  kind  of  sing- 
ing bird 73 

AMPELIDJB: 72 

Amphiuma:  meaning  unknown,  197 
AMPHIUMID^E:  ....  197 
Amyda:  L.,  a  turtle  (JSmy*),  .  168 
ANACANTHINI  :  a  —  without ; 

akantha—  spine,  .  .  .  246 
Anas:  L.,  a  duck,  .  .  .  140 

ANATID^S: 137 

Ahcistrodon:  agkisfron  —  a  hook; 

odon  —  tooth 184 

ANOUID^S:  L..  anguis— the  "  blind 

worm," 170 

Anguilla;  L.,  an  eel  (from  anguis)  304 
ANGUILLID^}  .  .  .304 

Anorthura:  a — without;  orthos  — 

regular;  oura  —  tail,  .  .  55 
Anser:  L.,  a  goose,  .  .  .  140 
Authus  :  anthos  —  a  flower,  or 

something  bright,  ...  57 
Antrostornus:  antrqn  —  cavern; 

stoma  —  mouth,  ...  99 
ANURA:  a— without;  oura  —  tail,  187 
Apeltes:  a— without;  pelte— shield  248 
APHREDODERID^E,  .  .  .  240 
Aphredoderus:  aphros  —  foam; 

deros  — skin,  ....  240 
APODES:  a— without;  potts— foot 

(ventral  fins) 304 

Aquila:  L.,  an  eagle,  .  .  .  114 
Archibuteo:  L.,  chief  of  buzzards,  114 
Arctomys:  arktos  —  bear;  mus  — 

mouse 28 

Ardea;  L.,  a  heron,  ...  131 

ARDEID^B 130 

Ardetta:  L.,  a  little  heron,  .  133 
Argyreus:  argureos—s$\ery,  .  280 
Argy  rosomus :  arguros  —  silver ; 

soma  —  body 262 

ARIDJS:  from  Ara,  L.,  a  macaw,  105 
Arlina:  a  coined  name,  .  .  221 
Aromochelys:  aroma  —  odor;  che- 

lus  —  turtle 166 

Arquatella:  L.,  arcuatus  —  bent 

likBabow 127 

Arvicola:  L.,  living  in  fields,  .  32 


PAGE. 
Aspidonectes:  aspis  — shield;  nek- 

tes— a  swimmer,       .      .       .       168 
A  static  hthys:    astatos  —  never 

standing  still;  ichthus  —  fish,       219 
Astragalinus  ;     astragalos  —  the 

ankle  bone 83 

Astur:  L,,  a  goshawk,  .  .  112 
Asturina :  L.,  diminutive  of 

Astur 113 

Atalapha:  (atalos— tender  ?)    .         23 
ATHERINID^E  :  atherine— a  small, 
bony  fish  (from  other,  an  ar- 
row)  250 

Atractosteus;   atraktos  —  spindle ; 

osteon,  bone 309 

AVES:  L.,  birds 36 

Aythya:  aithuia— a  kind  of  water 

bird 143 

Baskanium:  baskanos— malignant  178 
BATRACHIA:  batrachos— a  frog,     185 
Bern     a:  Latin  name  (a  barnacle)  140 
Blarina:  a  meaningless  name,         26 
Boleichthys:  holts  —  dart;  ichthus 
—  fish,     ......       220 

Boleosoma.  bolis  —  dart;   soma  — 

body 221 

Bonasa:     L.,    a    bull,    from    the 

"drumming,"     .       .       .       .       119 
Botaurus:    L.,  bos-taurus  —  bull, 

from  the  "booming."      .       .       133 
Brachyotus :  brachuotoa     short- 
eared,     108 

Brauta:  English,  brant,  .  .  140 
Bryttus:  brutto  —  to  growl,  .  235 
Bubalichthys :  bubalos  —  buffalo ; 

ichthus  —  fish 298 

Bubo:  L.,  a  horned  owl,  .  .  109 
Bucephala:  bous— bull;  Ttephale— 

head, 143 

Bufo:  L.,  a  toad,    ....       190 

BUPONID^E: 190 

Buteo:  L.,  a  buzzard,  .  .  .  113 
Butorides:  L.,  bittern-like,  .  132 
Calemys:  katos  —  beautiful ;  emus 

—turtle, 162 

Calidris:  L.,  asanderling,  .  128 
Calliurus:  katos  — beautiful;  our  a 

—tail, 234 

Calopisma :      Ttalos  —  beautiful ; 

lopisma  —  skin 181 

Campephilus  :    kampe— caterpil- 
lar; phileo— to  love,  .       .       .       103 
Campostoma  :     kampe  —  curve  ; 
stoma  —  mouth 275 


INDEX. 


833 


PAGE. 

Camptolyemus:  kampte  —  flexible; 

lai??ios  —  throat,  .  .  .  144 
Canace:  L.,  a  daughter  of  ^Eolus,  118 

CANID^E: 16 

Canis:  L.,  a  dog,  ....  17 
CAPRIMULGID.E:  from  L.,  Capri- 

mulgus  —  goat-sucker,  .  .  98 
Carassi us :  L.,  a  crucian  carp,  .  291 
Cardinalis:  L.,  cardinal,  .  .  89 

Cariacus: 22 

CARJUVORA:  L.,  flesh-eating,  15 
Carphophiops  :     karphos  —  a  dry 
twig;    op  his  — snake;    ops  — ap- 
pearance  182 

Carpiodes:  L.,  carp-like,  .  .  296 
Carpodacus:  karpos— fruit;  dakno 

—  to  bite, 82 

Castor:  L.,  a  beaver,    ...        29 

CASTORID^E, 29 

Catharista :  kathairo  —  to  cleanse,  115 
Catharles:    kathartes  —  one  who 

purifies 115 

CATHARTID^E,  .  .  .  .  114 
Catonotus:  kata  —  low;  notos  — 

back, 218 

CATOSTOMID^E,  ....  291 
Catostomus:  fcata— low;  stoma  — 

mouth, 293 

Caudisona:  L.,  cauda  —  tail;  sono 

—  to  sound 184 

Celuta:  L.,  celer— swift,     .       .       182 
Centrarchus  :     kentron  —  spine; 

archos— anal  (many  anal  spines)  230 
Centrophanes  :  kentron  —  spine;' 

phaneo  —  to  show,  ...  83 
Centurus:  kenteo  —  to  prick :  our  a 

tail 104 

Ceratichthys :  keras— horn;  ichthus 

—  fish 278 

Certhia:  L.,  a  creeper  wren.     .         53 
CERTHIID^,    .....        53 

CERVID^B, 20 

Cervus:  L,.,  a  deer,       ...         22 
Ceryle:   kerulos  —  a  kingfisher,       101 
Chsenobryttus:  chaino  —  to  yawn; 

bruttos  —  a  sun  fish  (growler),  234 
Chsetura:  chaite— mane  (bristle); 

our  a  —  tail, 100 

Chamsepelia:     chamai  —  on    the 
ground;  peleia  —  ring-dove  (pel- 
eios  —  dusky)       ....       116 
CHARADRIID^E,    ....      120 
Charadrius:    charadrios  —  a  lap- 
wing or  some  other  water-bird 


PAGE. 

(from  charadra,  a  torrent),  .  121 
Chatoessus:  chateo—to  yawn,  .  266 
Chaulelasmus:  chaulos— loose,  or 

gaping;    elasmos  —  a   plate,   or 

blade, 141 

Chelopus:  cliele  —  claw;  pous  — 

foot 162 

Chelydra;  cheludros— a  water  rep- 
tile  167 

CHELYDRID^E:  .  .  .  .  166 
CHIROPTERA:  cheir  —  hand; 

pteron  —  wing,  ....  22 
Chirostoina:  cheir  —  hand;  stoma 

mouth 250 

Chloris:  chloros— green,  .  .  60 
Chologaster  :  cholos  —  defective, 

lame;  gaster— belly,  .  .  257 
Chondestes  :  chondros  —  grain  ; 

esthio—  to  eat 85 

CHONDROSTEI:  chondros— carti- 
lage; osteon— bone,  .  .  .  310 
Chordeiles:  choreo  —  to  wander; 

deile  —  twilight,  ....  99 
Chorophilus  :  chores  —  dance 

(chorus) ;  phileo— to  love,  .  189 
Chroacocephalus:  chroia  —  color  ; 

kephale— head,  ....  150 
Chrosomus:  chroia— color;  soma 

—body, 284 

Chrysemys:  chrusos  —  golden; 

emus  —  water-turtle,  .  .  163 
Chrysomitris :  chrusos  —  golden ; 

mitra  —  cap 82 

Circus:  L.,  a  sacred  falcon  which 

flies  in  circles 112 

CINOSTERNID^E:  ....  165 
Cinosternum  :  feineo  — to  move; 

sternon  —  sternum,  .  .  .  166 
Cistothorus  :  fcistos  —  rock-rose  ; 

thereto  — to  seek,  ...  55 
Cistudo:  kiste  —  a  box,  .  .  162 
Clangula:  Latin  name,  clangor  — 

a  sharp  bird's  scream,  .  .  143 
Clinostomus :  klino  —  to  Incline; 

stoma— mouth,  ....  285 
CLUPEnx<E:  from  L.,  clupea  —  a 

herring 264 

Cneinidophorus:  knemidophoros— 

wearing  leg  armor,  .  .  .  170 
Coccygus:  kokkux  —  a  cuckoo,  102 
Colaptes :  kolapto  —  to  strike  with 

the  bill 105 

Collurio:  kollurlon  —  a  shrike 

(butcher) 77 


334 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Coluber:  L.,  a  harmless  snake,  178 

COLUBRID^E 172 

Columba:  L.,  a  dove,  .      .       .  116 

COLUMB^E:  L.,  doves,        .       .  115 

116 
154 

Colymbus:  kolumbos— a  diver,  154 
Condylura:  kondulos— node ;  our  a 

—  tail  (from  the  beaded  appear- 
ance when  dried),     ...         25 

Conocephalus:  fconos--cone ;  Tteph- 

ale— head,  .  ...  •  181 
Contopus:  kontos  —  spear;  pous  — 

foot, 97 

Conurus^  konos— cone;  oura— tail,  106 
Coregonus:  korre  —  the  temples; 

gonos  —  angle 263 

Coronella :  L.,  corona  —  a  crown,    180 

CORVID.E 93 

Corvina :  from  corvus,  .  .  242 
Corvus:  L.,  a  raven,  ...  94 
Corynorhinus  :  Tcorune  —  club  ; 

rhin  —  snout,  ....  24 
Coryphodon :  koruphe  —  vertex, 

point;  odorir— tooth,  .  .  .  178 
COTTUxas:  L.,  coitus  —  a  sculpin 

(fcottos-head) 243 

Cottog aster  :    coitus— a,    sculpin; 

gaster  —  belly 222 

Coitus:    kottos  —  head  (from  the 

great  size  of  that  part),  .  .  243 
Coturniculus:  diminutive  of  ko- 

turnix  —  a  kind  of  grouse,     .         84 
Cotyle:  kotule— a  cavity  or  hole,       72 
Craxirex:  L.,  crax— a  gallinace- 
ous bird;  rex  — king,       .       .       113 
CROCODLLIA:   krokodeilos— a  cro- 
codile  157 

Crocodilus, 157 

CROTALID^E, 183 

Crotalophorus:  krotalon—a.  rattle ; 

phoreo  —  to  bear,  .  .  .  184 
Crotalus:  krotalon  —  a  rattle,  .  183 
CUCULID^E:  L.,  cuculus— a  cuckoo  101 
Cupidonia:  L.,  cupido— the  god  of 

love 119 

Cyanospiza:  kuaneos— blue;  spiza 

—  sparrow,   .'....         89 
Cyanurus:   kuaneos  —  blue;   oura 

tail,        ......         94 

Cycleptus:    kuklos  —  circle;  leptos 

—  slender;    (i.e.  "small  round 
mouth.") 298 

CYCLOGA2JOIDEI:  cycloid-ganoid  305 


PAGE. 

Cyclophis:   kukloi  —  circle ;  ophis 

—  snake, 179 

Cygnus:  kuknos  —  a  swan,        .       139 
Cylindrosteus:   kulindros  —  a  cy- 
linder; osteon  —  bone.      .       .       308 

Cyprinella:  dim.  of  Cyprlnus,  288 

CYPRINID^E, 267 

Cyprinodou:  kuprinos  —  a  carp; 

odon  —  a  tooth 252 

CYPRINODONTID^E,  .  .  .  251 
Cypriuus:  kuprinos— a  carp,  .  291 
CYPSELIDJE:  L.,  cypselus— a  swift 

(kupsele— a  cavern),  ...  99 
Dania:  Latin  name,  .  .  .  141 
Decactylus:  dekas  —  ten;  aktin  — 

ray, 293 

Dendroeca:  dendron— tree ;  oikeo— 

to  inhabit,  .....  61 
DESMOGNATHIDJB:  .  .  .  191 
Desrnoguathus:  desmos  —  a  bond; 

gnathos— jaw 192 

Diadophis:  did— to  divide;  ophis 

—snake,        .       .      .      .      .       179 

DlDELPHIDID^E:    ....  35 

Didelphys:  dis  —  two;  delphus — 
uterus, 35 

Diemyctylus:  meaning  unknown,  191 

Diplesium;  dis  — two;  plesion  — 
nearly  (dorsal  fin),  .  .  .  223 

Dolichonyx:  dolichos— long ;  onux 

—  claw, 91 

Dorosoma:  doru  —  lance;  soma— 

body 266 

Ectopistes:  ektopisteos  —  disposed 

todepart, 116 

Elanus:  elanos— a  kite,  .  .  112 

ELAPID^B: 182 

Elaps:  elaps— a  harmless  snake,  183 
ELASMOBRANCHII  :  elasmos  —  a 

plate;  bragchia— gill,  .  .  813 
Enipidonax:  empis  — a  mosquito; 

anax  —  a  prince.       ...         97 

EMYDIDuE, 161 

Emys:  emits  —  a  water  tortoise,  163 
Eimeacauthus:  ennea  —  iiine; 

akantha  —  spine,  .  .  .  232 
Eremophila  :  eremos  —  desert ; 

phileo  —  to  love 56 

Erethizon:  erethizo  —  to  irritate,  34 
Ereunetes :  ereunetes—au  inquirer, 

searcher, 126 

Ericyuiba:  ert  —  very  or  true  ; 

kumba—  hollow  or  cavity,  .  277 
Erirnyzon:  ert— true,  strong;  muzo 


INDEX. 


335 


PAGE. 

—  to  suck 294 

Erinemus:  eri  —  strong;    nema  — 

a  thread  or  barbel,    ...       279 
Erismatura:  ereisma  —  a  support, 
prop;  OUTO,  —  tail,      .       .       .       145 

ESOCID^E, 254 

Esox:  L.,  a  pike     ....       254 
Estrella :  a  word  of  euphony,         221 
Etheostoma:    "various  mouths," 
from  the  variety  in  that  respect 
in  the  genus  as  at  first  consti- 
tuted  222 

ETHEOSTOMID^E,  .  .  .  215 
Eucalia:  eu— true;  kalia— nest,  248 
Eudytes:  eu— true;  dutes— a  diver,  154 
Eumeces:  eumekes  —  long,  of  good 

stature 171 

EURHIPIDURA:  eu  — true;  rhipis 

—  fan;  our  a  —  tail,     ...         37 
Euspiza:  eu— true;  spiza— a  spar- 
row  88 

Euttenia:  eu— true;  tainia  —  rib- 

'  bon, 176 

Eutychelithus :  eutuches  —  lucky ; 

lithos  —  stone,  ....  242 
EVENTOGNATHI:  eu—  true;  entos 

—  within;  gnathos  —  jaw,       .       267 
Evotomys :    evotos  —  long  -  eared ; 

mus—  mouse,       .  .32 

Exoglossum:  exo — outside;  glossa 

—  tongue, 274 

Falcinellus  :   L.,  /ate— a  scythe,    134 
Falco:  L.,  a  falcon,      .       .       ,       111 

FALCONID^B 109 

Farancia:  a  word  of  euphony,        181 
Fario:  L.,  a  brook  trout,    .       .       259 

FELID^B, 15 

Felis:  L.,  a  cat,      ....         16 
FER^E:  L., /era— wild,  savage,          15 
Fiber:  L.,  a  beaver.      ...         33 
Florida:  Florida,  one  of  the  U.  S. 

where  Herons  abound,  .  .  132 
FRINGILLID^E:  from  L,,  Fringilla 

—a  finch 77 

Fulica:  L.,  a  coot  (sooty),  .  .  136 
Fuligula:  diminutive  of  F.ulix,  142 
Fulix:  same  as  Fulica,  .  ,  142 
Fundulus:  L.,  fundus— bottom,  251 
GADID^E:  L.,  gadus— a  cod-fish,  246 
Galeoscoptes  :  galee  —  weasel ; 

skoptes— mocker,  ...  48 
GALLING:  L.,  Gallus— a  cock,  117 
Gallinago:  L.,  Gallina— a  kind  of 

wader,  .      .      .      .      .      .   •  126 


PAGE. 

Gallinula:  diminutive  of  Gallina,  136 
GANOIDEI:  ganos— splendor,  .  305 
Garzetta:  a  proper  name,  .  .  132 
GASTEROSTEID^B,  .  .  .  247 
Gasterosteus:  g aster  —  belly ;  ost- 

eon—  bone, 248 

Gelochelidon:  gelao  —  to  laugh; 

chelidon  —  a  swallow,  .  .  151 

GEOMYIDJB 29 

Geomys:  fire— the  earth;  mus  — 

mouse 29 

Geothlypis:  ge— the  earth;  thlupis 

—  a  warbler  (?),  ...  68 
Gila:  Gila  River,  where  the  typi- 
cal species  occurs,  .  .  .  285 
Girardinus:  to  Dr.  Chas.  Girard,  251 
GLIRES:  L.,  glis  —  a  dor-mouse,  26 
Glossoplites:  glossa— tongue;  ho- 

plites  —  armed,  ....  233 
Glottis:  glottis— name  of  some  bird  128 
Glyptemys;  gluplos  —  sculptured; 

emus  —  tortoise,  .  .  .  163 
GOBIID^E:  L..  gobius  —  a  goby,  246 
Gobio:  L.,  gobio  —  a  gudgeon,  278 
Gobiosoma:  L.,  gobius  —  a  goby; 

soma  — body,  ....  246 
Goniaphea:  gonos  —  cheeks  (?); 

phaios  —  black 88 

Goniochelys:  gonia— angle ;  cfoelus 

—turtle 166 

Graculus:  L.,  a  jackdaw,  from  its 

note  —  gra,  gra 147 

Graptemys :  graptos  —  engraved; 

emus  — tortoise,  .  .  .  164 
Gronias:  grone  —  a  cavern,  .  304 

GRUID-.E, 134 

Grus:  L.,  a  crane,  .  .  .  135 
Grystes:  gruzo  —  to  growl,  .  229 
Guiraca:  meaningless,  .  .  89 
Gulo:  L.,  gulo  —  a  glutton,  .  19 
Gypochelys:  gups— a  vulture;  che- 

lus  —  a  turtle 167 

Gyrinophilus:  gurinos— a  tadpole; 

phileo— to  love 194 

Hadropterus:  hadros— stout;  pte- 

223 

...         122 

Haematopus:  haima— blooa;  pous 

—foot, 122 

Haldea:  meaningless?  .  .  181 
Haliaetus:  hals— sea;  aetos — eagle,  114 
Haplochilus  :  haploos  —  single, 

simple;  cTieiloa— a  lip,  .  .  252 
Hapioidonotus:  haploidos  — 


336 


INDEX. 


PAGB. 

cloaked;  no  to*  — back,  from 
scales  on  dorsal  fin  (more  likely 
haploos  —  single ;  noto*  —  back, 
i.  e.  dorsal  fin),  ....  241 

HAPLOMI:  haploos— simple;  omos 
— humerus 251 

Harelda:  L.,  a  herald.         .       .       143 

Harporhynchus:  harpe  —  a  sickle; 
rhunchos— a  bill,  ...  48 

Hedymeles:  hedus— sweet;  melos 
—a  soug, 88 

Helminthophaga:  helmins  —  a 
worm ;  phago— to  eat,  .  .  60 

Helmitherus:  helmins  — a  worm; 
thereuo  —  to  seek,  ...  60 

HEMIBRANCHII:  hemi  —  half; 
bragchia  —  gills,  ...  247 

Hemidactylium:  hemi  —  half; 
daktulos  —  claw,  .  .  .  193 

Hemioplites:  hemi— half;  hoplites 
—armed 232 

Hemitremia:  hemi  —  half;  trema 
—  aperture  (lateral  line  half 
way) 283 

Herodias:    herodios  —  a  heron,       132 

HERODIONES 130 

Hesperiphona:  hesperos— evening; 
phoneo— to  sing 81 

Hesperocichla :  hesperos  —  even- 
ing ;  fcichle— a  thrush,  .  .  47 

Hesperomys :  hesperos— evening; 
mus— a  mouse,  ....  31 

Heterodon  :  heteros  —  different  ; 
odon— tooth 174 

Hierofalco  :  L..  hierax,  a  hawk  ; 
falco,  a  falcon Ill 

Himantopus  :  himantopous  —  a 
kind  of  water-bird  (crook- 
shanks) 123 

HlRUNDINIJXE,  ,  70 

Hirundo:  L.,  a  swallow,  .  ,  71 
Histrionicus:  L.,  a  harlequin,  144 
Hololepis:  holos— entirely;  lepis— 

a  scale, 220 

Hopladelus:  hop leis— armed  ;  de- 

los— visible,  ....  303 
Hucho:  a  Latin  name,  .  .  259 
Mudsonius:  Hudson  River  .  281 
Huro:  Lake  Huron,  .  .  .  229 
Hybognathus:  hubos  —  gibbous  ; 

gnathos— jaw,  ....  276 
Hybopsis  :  hubos— gibbous  ;  opsis 

—face 281 

Hyborhynchus  :  hubos— gi  bbous ; 


PAGE. 

rhunchos— snout,       .       .       .       276 

Hydrargyra  :  hudor  —  water;  ar- 
guros— silver,  ....  252 

Hydrochelidon  :  hudor  —  water  ; 
chelidon— swallow,  .  .  .  153 

Hyla:  hule— forest,       .       .       .       189 

HYLID^E: 189 

Hylocichla:  hule— forest;  kichle— 
thrush .46 

Hylomyzon:  hilus— mud;  muzo— 
to  suck,  ......  293 

Hylotomus:  hule— wood;  tomos— 
cutting 103 

Hyodon:  L.,  os  hyoides— bone  of 
the  tongue;  odon—  a  tooth  (in- 
tended for  "toothed  tongue " ),  264 

HYODONTID^E 263 

Hyostoma:  hus  —  swine;  stoma  — 
a  mouth, 223 

Hypentelium:  hupo— under  (lip?); 
enteles-perfect 293 

Hypohomus:  hupo— beneath ;  ho- 
mos—uniform  223 

Hyperistius:  huper— high;  histi- 
on— a  sail  (dorsal),  ...  230 

HYPEROARTIA:  huperoa  —  pal- 
ate; artios— perfect,  .  .  314 

HYPEROTRETA:  huperoa  —  pal- 
ate; tretos— perforate,  .  .  313 

Hypsilepis:  hupsi  —  high;  lepis  — 
scale 286 

Ibis:  name  in  Greek,  .       .       .       134 

Ictalurus:  ichthus— fish;  ailuros— 
cat, 299 

ICHTHELIDJ3 227 

Ichthelis:  ichthus  —  fish;  helios  — 
the  sun 235 

Ichthyobus:  ichthus— fish ;  boats— 
buffalo 297 

Ichthyomyzon  :  ichthus  —  fish  ; 
muse  —  to  suck,  ....  315 

Ictinia:  iktinos— a  kite.      .       .       112 

Icteria:  ikteros— a  yellowish  green 
bird,  the  sight  of  which  would 
cure  the  jaundice  (ikteros).  In 
the  process  the  bird  dies,  .  68 

ICTERlDuE, 90 

Icterus, 92 

IGUANHXE:  Iguana— a  vernacular 
name, 169 

INSECTIVORA:  L.,  insecta  —  in- 
sect; voro— to  eat,  ...  24 

Ischnognathus :  ischnos  —  thin  ; 
gnathos  —  jaw 176 


INDEX. 


337 


PAGE. 

ISOSPONDYLI:  isos— equal;  spon- 

dulos  —  a,  vertebra,  .  .  .  258 
Ispida:  a  Latin  name,  .  .  101 
Jaculus:  L.,  something  thrown,  30 
Junco:  meaningless,  ...  88 
Labidesthes:  labis  —  a  pair  of  for- 
ceps; esthio  —  to  eat,  .  .  250 

LABRACID^E 326 

Labrax:   labrax—name  of  some 

voracious  sea-fish,    .       .       .       226 
LACERTILIA:  L.,  lacerta—a,  lizard  168 
Lagopus;  lagopous  —  a  ptarmigan 
from  lagos  —  a  hare;  potts— foot 
(rough-footed  like  a  hare),    .       119 
LAMELLIROSTRES  ;  L.,  lamella  — 

a  thin  plate;  rostrum— bill,  .       137 
Lampropeltis:  lampros  —  shining; 

pelte  —  shield,      ....       180 
LANIHXE:    L.,  lanius  —  a  shrike 

(butcher), 76 

Lanivireo:  lanius-vireo,    .       .         76 

LARID^E 148 

Larus:  laros — a  sea  gull,  .  .  150 
Lasiurus:  lasios  —  hairy;  oura  — 

tail 24 

LEPIDOSTEID^E 307 

Lepidosteus;  lepis  —  scale;  osteon 

—  bone 308 

Lepomis:    lepis  —  scale ;   poma  — 

opercle 235 

LEPORIDJ3 34 

LEPTOCARDII:  leptos  —  thin;  kar- 
dia  —  heart,  .....  313 

Lepibema:  lepis  —  scale;  bema  — 
step,  ''in  allusion  to  the  scaly 
bases  of  the  unpaired  fins,"  226 

Leptophis:  leptos— slender;  ophis 
—snake 179 

Lepus:  L..  a  hare,       ...         34 

Lestris:  lestris  —  a  robber,       .       149 

Leuciscus:  L.,  a  dace  (leukos  — 
white) 287 

Leucosomus:  leukos— white;  soma 
—body 277 

LlMicoLxE:  L.,  limus  —  mud;  colo 

—  to  inhabit,        ....       120 
Limosa:   L.,  limosus  —  muddy,       128 
Liopeltis:  lews  —  smooth ;  pelte  — 

shield, 179 

Litholepis:  lithos  —  stone ;  lepis  — 

scale, 309 

Lobipes:  lobos— lobe;  pous— foot,  123 
LONGIPENNES:  L.,  longus— long ; 

penna—  wing 147 


PAGE. 

Lophodytes:  lop hos  —  crest;  dutes 

—diver, 145 

Lophophanes:  I  o  p  ho  s  —  crest; 

phaino  —  to  show,  ...  51 

Lota:  L.,  a  ling 247 

Loxia-  loxos— crosswise,  .  .  82 
Lucioperca:  L.,  lucius  —  a  pike; 

perca— a  perch,  ....  225 
Lutra:  L.,  an  otter,  ...  19 
Luxilus:  a  shiner  (L.,  Zua>-light),  286 
Lynx:  lugx  —  a  wild  cat,  .  .  16 
Lythrurus:  luthron— blood;  oura 

—tail 285 

Macrochelys:  makros  —  large; 

chelus  —  a  turtle,  .  .  .  167 
Macrorhamphus:  makros— large; 

rhamphos  —  bill,  .  .  .  126 
Malacoclemmys:  malakos  —  soft; 

klemmus  —  a  turtle,  .       .       .       164 
MAMMALIA:  Latin  name  (mam- 
ma),      .......         12 

Minormis:  meaningless,  .  .  293 
Mniotilta:  mnion— moss;  tillo— to 

pull 59 

Molothrus:  molos— a  mass ;  throos 

—a  rustling  (?)  ....  91 
Morone:  meaningless,  .  .  227 
MOTACILLID^E:  L.,  motacilla  — a 

wagtail, 56 

Moxostoma:  muzo— to  suck;  stoma 

—mouth, 295 

Muraenopsis :  muraina  —  an  eel ; 

opsis— appearance,  .  .  .  197 

MURID^E, 30 

Mus:  mus— a  mouse,  ...  31 
Mustela  L.,  a  weasel,  .  .  18 

MUSTELID^!, 17 

Myiadestes:  myia— a  fly;   deo— to 

bind  (catch) 48 

Myiarchus:  myia— a,  fly;  archos— 

chief, 96 

Myiodioctes:  myia— a  fly;  diofco — 

to  chase 68 

Myonomes:  mus— mouse;  7iomos— 

pasture 32 

Nanemys:  nanos— dwarf;  emys— 

turtle 163 

Nauclerus:  naucleros— a  ruler,  112 
Necturus  :  nekton  —  swimming  ; 

oura— tail, 198 

NEMATOGNATHI:  nemo— barbel; 

0nat/ios-jaw 298 

Neocorys  :  neos  —  new  ;  cor  us  — 

helmet 57 


-J5 


338 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Neotoma:  neo  —  to  swim:  tome  — 
a  cutting  (Rodent),  ...  31 

Nero&ia:  neros— moist,       .       .       175 

Nettion:  nettion— a  little  duck,       142 

Nisus:  a  king  of  Megara,  changed 
to  an  eagle 113 

Mareca:  meaningless,        .       .       141 

MARSIPOBRANCHH:  marsipion— 
a  pouch ;  braychia— gills,  .  313 

MARSTJPIALIA  :  marsipion  — 
pouch 35 

Melanerpes:  melas— black  ;  herpo 
—to  creep, 104 

Melanetta:  melas— black;  netta— 
a  duck 144 

Melanura:  melas— black;  oura— 
a  tail, 253 

MELEAGRID^E:     .       .       .       .       117 

Meleagris  :  meleagris  —  a  fowl 
(from  the  hero  Meleager,  whose 
sisters  wept  themselves  into 
Guinea-hens) 117 

Melospiza:  melos— song;  spiza— a 
sparrow 87 

M enobranchus :  menos— strength; 
(meno— to  remain);  bragchos—a, 
gill,  ' 198 

ME^-OPOMID^E 196 

Menopoma  :  menos  —  strength  ; 
poma— opercle 196 

Mephitis:  L.,  a  bad  odor,   .       .         19 

Mergus:  L.,  mergo— to  dive,     .       145 

Mesogonistius  :  mesos  —  middle ; 
gonia— angle;  histion— sail  (dor- 
sal)  232 

Micristius:  mikros— small ;  histion 
—sail  (dorsal),  ....  252 

Micropalama  .  mikros  —  small ; 
palame— palm  (web),  .  .  126 

Microperea:  mikros— small;  perke 
—a  perch 218 

Micropterus  :  mikros  —  small  ; 
pteron  —  a  fin,  ....  229 

Milvulus:  dim.  of  L.,  milvus— a 
kite 96 

Mlnnilus  :  English,  minnow  ; 
French,  menuise ;  L.,  minus  — 
small, 289 

Nocomis:  Ind.,  nokomit— daugh- 
ter of  the  moon,  .  .  .  278 

Notemigonus :  notos— back;  Tiemi 
—half;  gonia— angle,  .  .  290 

Nothonotus  :  notlios  —  spurious  ; 
notos  — back,  ....  218 


PAGE. 

Notophthalmus :  notos  —  back; 

ophthalmos  —  eye,  .  ,  .  191 
Noturus:  notos— back;  oura— tail,  303 
Numenius:  noumenia—  the  new 

moon 129 

Nyctale:  nuktalos  —  nocturnal,  108 
Nyctea:  nuktios— nocturnal,  .  109 
Nyctherodius:  nuktios  —  noctur- 
nal; herodios  —  a  heron,  .  132 
Nyctiardea:  L.,  a  night-heron,  132 
Nycticejus:  mix  — night.  ,  .  23 
Ochetodon:  ochetos—  a  channel; 

odon  —  a  tooth,  ....  32 
(Edemia:  oidema  —  a  swelling,  144 
Oligocephalus  :  o  li  g  o  s  —  a  few 

(small);  kephale  —  head,  .  218 
Oligosoma:  oligos  —  small;  soma 

—  body 171 

Olor :  a  Latin  name,    .       .       .       139 
Opheosaurus:  ophis— snake;  sau- 

ros- lizard,  .  .  •  .  170 
Ophibolus:  op  Tiis  —  snake ;  fcolis 

—  dart 180 

OPHIDIA:  ophis  —  snake,  .       .       172 
Oporornis:  opora  —  early  autumn 

(fruit);  ornis  —  bird,  .  .  67 
Ortyx:  ortux  —  a  European  quail,  119 
Oryzomys  :  L.,  oryza  —  rice;  mus 

—  mouse,      .....         32 
Osceola:  Name  of  an  Indian  chief,  181 
Osmerus:  osmeres  —  odorous,  .       261 
Otocorys:  ous— ear;  korus  —  hel- 
met,         56 

Otus:   otos— a  horned  owl  (otos— 

eared) 107 

O'zotheca:  ozo  —  to  give  out  an 

odor;  theke— a  box,  .  .  .  166 
Pagophila:  pagos— ice;  phileo— to 

love 150 

Pandion:  name  in  mythology,  112 

PARIDJB 51 

Parula:  dim.  of  Parus,  .  .  60 
Parus:  L.,  a  titmouse,  .  51 

Passer:  L.,  a  sparrow,  .  .  83 
Passerculus:  dim.  of  Passer,  .  84 
Passerella:  dim.  of  Passer,  .  88 

PASSERES, 44 

Pedioecetes:  pedion— a  field;  koite 

-a  nest, 118 

Pedomys:  pedion  —  field ;  mus—  a 

mouse 33 

Pegedichthys:  pege— a  fountain; 

icftthus-a  fish,  ....  244 
PELECANID^E 146 


INDEX. 


339 


PAGE. 

Pelecanus:  pelekan— a  pelican,  146 
Pelidna:  pelidnos— livid,  .  .  127 
Pelionetta:  peleios—  blackish ; 

netta  —  duck,  ....  145 
Perca:  per  fee— a  perch  (perfeos— 

dusky), 225 

PERCESOCES:  L.,  perca  —  perch; 

esox— a  pike 248 

PERCIDvE, 224 

Percina:  dim.  of  Perca,     .       .       224 

PERCOPSID^E 258 

Percopsis:  per  fee  — a  perch;  opsis 

—  appearance,     ....       258 
PERDICID^E:  L.,  perclix— a  part- 
ridge,      119 

Perisoreus:  peri  —  around ;  soros 

—  a  hill,  a  heap,         ...         95 
Perissoglossa:  perissos— odd;  glos- 

sa  —  a  tongue,  ....  61 
Petrochelidon:  pefros  —  a  rock; 

chclidon  —  a  swallow,  .  .  71 
Petromyzon :  petros  —  a  stone ;  muzo 

—  to  suck 314 

PETROMYZONTID^E,    .       .       .       314 
Peucaea:  pewfce  —  a  pine  tree,    .         87 
PHALACROCORACID.*:  phalakros 

—  bald;  korax  —  a  raven,       .       147 
PHALAROPODIIMB,      .      .      .       123 
Phalaropus :    phalaros  —  shining; 

pous  —  foot,  ....  123 
Phenacobius:  phenax— deceptive; 

bios  —  life,  .  .  .  .  .  280 
Philohela-  phileo  —  to  love;  hele— 

sunlight;  (hilus— mud?),  .  125 
Philomachus:  phileo  —  to  love; 

mache  —  a  fight,  .  .  .  129 
Photogenis:  pTios  —  light;  genus 

-cheek 288 

Phoxinus:  phoxinos  —  a  minnow; 

(phoxos  —  tapering),  .  .  284 
Phrynosoma:  phrune— a  toad;  so- 

ma— body,  ....  170 
Pica:  L.,  a  magpie,  ...  94 
PICARIJE:  L.,  picws  —  a  wood- 
pecker,   98 

PiciDvE: 102 

Picoides :  L.,  like  a  woodpecker,  104 
Picorellus:  English,  pickerel,  .  255 
Picus:  L.,  a  woodpecker,  .  .  103 
Pileoma :  pilema  —  something 

compact,  .....  224 
Pimelodus :  pimelodes  —  fat,  .  300 
Pimephales:  pimele— fat;  kephale 

—  head, 275 


PAGE. 

Pinicola:  L.,  living  among  pines,  81 
Pipilo:  L.,  pipilo— to  chirp,  .  89 
PISCES:  L.,  fishes,  .  .  .  199 
Pitymys:  pitus— a  pine-tree;  mus 

—  mouse, 33 

Pityophis:   pitus  —  a  pine-tree: 

ophis  —  snake,    ....       178 
Placopharynx:  plax — anything  flat 

and  broad;  pharunx— pharynx,  296 
Planirostra  :  L.,  planus— flat;  ros- 
trum—snout,    ....       310 
Plargyrus:  pleura— side;   arguros 

—  silver 287 

Plectrophanes:  plektron  —  a,  spur; 

— phaneo— to  show,    ...         83 
Plestiodon:  pleistos— many;  oclon 

—  tooth 171 

Plethodon :   plethos  —  abundance ; 

odon  —  tooth 193 

PLETHODONTID^E,      .      .      .      192 
PLEURODELID^E  :       Pleurodeles ; 
pleuron— side;    deleeis— destruc- 
tive,   .190 

Pleurolepis:  pleuron  — side;  lepis 

—scale 221 

PLOTID^E, 146 

Plotus:  plos  —  a  swimmer,  .  146 
Podiceps:  L.,  podex— rump;  pes— 

foot, 155 

PODICIPHXE,  .  .  .  .  .  155 
Podilymbus  :  L.,  podiceps  —  a 

grebe;  colymbus— a  loon,       .       156 
Pcecilia:  poikilos— variegated,        252 
Pcecilichthys  :     poikilos  —  varie- 
gated; ichthus  —  fish,      .       .       219 
Polioptila:    polios— hoary;  ptilon 

—feather, 50 

Poly  odon:    poi-us— many;    odon— 
tooth, 310 

POLTODONTID^E,  ....         309 

Pomolobus:  porno— opercle ;  loftos 

—lobe, 265 

Pomotis:  poma  —  opercle ;  ous  — 

ear 239 

Pomoxys:  poma — opercle;  oirws — 

sharp, 230 

Pocecetes:  pocs— meadow-grass; 

koite— nest, 84 

Porphyrio  :  porphurion  —  a  red 

water    bird,   from    porphurios, 

purple 136 

Porzana:  meaningless,  .  .  136 
Potamocottus:  potamos—a,  river; 

kottos— a  sculpin,      .      .      .      244 


340 


INDEX. 


PAGE. 

Procyon:  pro— before;  Teuon^-dog  20 

PROCYONID.E 20 

Progue:  a  daughter  of  Pandion, 

who  was  changed  into  a  swallow  72 

PROTEIDA, 197 

PROTEID^!:  proteus— a  name  in 

mythology, 197 

Protonotaria 60 

Pseudemys:  pseudos— false ;  emus 

—a  tortoise, 164 

Pseudobranchus :  pseudos— false ; 

bragchos— gills,  ....  198 
Pseudotriton  :  pseudos  —  false  ; 

triton— a  water  Salamander,  194 
PSITTACI:  L.,  psittacus  —  a  parrot  105 
Pteromys:  pteron— wing;  mus  — 

mouse,  27 

Ptychemys:  ptuche  —  a  fold  or 

wrinkle;  emus  — a  tortoise,  .  164 
Ptychostomus:  ptuche— a  fold  or 

wrinkle;  stoma  —  mouth,  .  295 
Ptyonotus:  ptuon  —  a,  fan;  notes 

—  back 245 

Putorius:  L.,  ill-scented,    .       .         18 
PYGOPODES:  puge  —  rump;  pous 

—  foot, 153 

Pygosteus:  puge—  rump;  osteon  — 

bone 249 

Pyranga:    pur  —  fire;  tanagra  — 

tanager 70 

Pyrgita:  purgites— a  house  spar- 
row  83 

Querquedula:  L.,  a  teal,     .       .       141 
Quiscalus :  quiscala— a  vernacular 
name,     ..,.,.         93 

RALLID^E, 135 

Rallus:  L.,  a  rail,         ...       135 

Rana:  L..  a  frog 187 

RANID^E 187 

Rangifer:  L.,  a  reindeer,  .  .  21 
RAP^TORES:  L.,  robbers,  .  .  106 
Recurvirostra:  L.,  recurvus — re- 
curved; rostrum —  bill,  .  .  123 
RKCURVIROSTRID^E,  .  .  .  122 
Regina :  L.,  a  queen,  .  .  .  175 
Regulus:  L.,  a  kinglet,  .  .  50 
Reithrodon :  reithron  —  a  channel ; 

odon  —  tooth 32 

REPTILIA:  L.,  repto  —  to  creep  or 

crawl, 157 

Rhinichthys:  rhin  —  snout;    ich- 

<7ms-fish 280 

Rhinogryphus :     rhin  —  snout; 
grups  —  a  griffin,        .       .       .       115 


PAGE. 

RHOMBOOANOIDEI:  rhombos  —  a 
diamond -shaped  figure,  a 
rhomb;  ganoidei— ganoids,  .  306 

Rhyacophilus  •  rhuax  —  river; 
pMleo  —  to  love.  .  .  .  129 

Rhynchops:  rhunchos— snout;  ops 

—  face   [ 153 

Rhytidostomus :   rhutis  —  rough; 

stoma— mouth 298 

Rissa:  a  Latin  name  (risus  — 

laughing) 150 

Roccus:  from  vernacular,  Rock- 
fish 226 

RODENTIA—  L.,  rodo  —  to  gnaw,  26 
Rutilus :  Latin,  rosy,  .  .  .  287 
Salamandra:  L.,  a  Salamander,  193 
Salar :  L.,  a  trout  (salio— to  leap),  259 
Salmo:  L.,  a  trout  (saZio— to  leap),  259 

SALMONIDJE, 258 

Salvelinus :  a  Latin  name,  .  259 
SarcMriis:  sarx  —  flesh;  cheir  — 

hand, 308 

SAXICOLID^B:  L.,  saxicola— living 

among  rocks,  ....  49 
Sayornis:  to  Thomas  Say;  ornis  — 

a  bird 96 

Scalops:  skalops  —  a  mole,  from 

sfca«o-todig ,25 

Scapanus  :  skapane  —  a  hoe  or 

shovel, 25 

SCAPHIOPID^E,  ....  188 
Scaphiopus:  skaphos— spade;  pous 

—  foot 189 

Scaphirhynchus:  skaphos— spade ; 

rJiuncfoos  —  snout,      .       .       .       312 

Sceloporus:  skelos  —  leg;   poros  — 

pore, 169 

:  scicena— Latin  name,  241 
^E:  skigkos— a  kind  of  liz- 
ard,          171 

SCIURID^B 26 

Sciurus:  skiouros  —  a  squirrel; 
(sfcia  — shade;  oura  —  tail),  .  27 

Sciuropterus:  skiouros  —  a  squir- 
rel; pteron— wing,  ...  27 

Sclerognathus:  skleros  —  hard; 
gnatTios-jaw 297 

Scolecophagus  :  skolex  —  worm  ; 
phago  —  to  eat,  ....  93 

Scolecosoma:  skolex— worm;  soma 

—  body, 315 

SCOLOPACID^!,      .       .  .       124 

Scolopax:  skolopax  —  a  snipe,         126 
Scops:  skops  —  a  screech  owl,          108 


INDEX. 


341 


PAGE. 

Scotiaptex:     skotia  —  darkness  ; 

ptesso  —  to  frighten,  .  ,  108 
Scotophilus:  skotos  —  darkness  ; 

phileo  —  to  love,  ...  22 
Scotophis  :  skotos  —  darkness  ; 

op  his  —  snake 178 

Seiurus:  seio— to  wag;  oura— tail,  66 
SELACHOSTOMI  :  selachos  —  a 

shark     ( cartilage )  ;     stoma  — 

mouth, 309 

Seinotilus:  unexplained,  .  .  277 
Setophaga:  ses— a  moth;  phago— 

to  eat,     ......         69 

Sialia:  sialis— plump,  .  .  49 
SILURID^B:  Silurus  ;  silouros  — 

some  river  fish 299 

Siredon:  seiredon—a,  siren  (seira 

—entangling),  ....  194 
Siren:  seiren— a  siren,  .  .  198 

SIRENID^E, 198 

Sitta:  sitte— a  nuthatch,  .  .  52 

SlTTID^E, 52 

Somateria:  soma  — body;  erion  — 

wool,      , 144 

Sorex:  L.,  a  shrew-mole,  .       .         26 

SORICID^E 25 

SPALACOPODID.E  :     Spalacopus  ; 

spalax—  a  mole;  pous— foot,  .  33 
Spatula:  L.,  a  spatula,  .  .  142 
Spatularia:  L.,  spatula,  ,  .  310 
Spelerpes:  speos— a  cave;  herpes— 

reptile,  ,.,...  193 
Speotyto:  speos— a  cave;  tuto— a 

night  owl 109 

Spermophilus  :    sperma  —  seed  ; 

pMlos— lover,  ....  28 
Sphyrapicus:  sphura— a  hammer; 

pikos— a  woodpecker.       .       .       104 
Spizella;  dim.  of  spiza— a  spar- 
row  86 

Squatarola:  a  vernacular  name,     121 
STEGANOPODES  :  steganos  —  web- 
bed; pous  —  foot,       .       .       .       146 
Steganopus :    steganos  —  webbed ; 

pous— foot, 123 

Stelgidopteryx:  stelgis  —  a  kind  of 

scraper;  pterux— wing,    .       .         72 
Stercorarius :  L.,  stercus  —  excre- 
ment  149 

Sterna:  L.,  sterno  —  to  spread  out,  152 
Stilbe:  stilbe  —  splendor,  .       .       290 
Stilbius :  same  as  stilbe,     .       .       290 
Stizostedium:   stizo  —  to  prick; 
sfethos-breast,    ....      225 


PAGE. 

Storeria:  to  Dr.  David  H.  Storer,  176 
Strepsilas:  strepso  —  to  turn ;  loos 

—stone, 122 

STRIGID.E 106 

Strix:  strigx  —  some  night  bird 

with  a  sharp  cry,  .  .  .  107 
Sturnella:  L.,  sturnus— a  starling,  92 
Surnia:  surnia  —  an  owl,  .  .  109, 
SyMcola :  L.,  sylvicola—  living  in 

the  forest, 60 

SYLVICOLID.E 57 

Sylviidce:  L.,  sylva—  woodland,       49 

Symphemia 128 

Synaptornys:  sunaptos  —  connect- 
ing; mus  —  mouse  ( joining  Ar- 
vicola  and  Myodes),  ...         33 
Synechoglanis:  synecho—to  repeat; 

plants  —  the  fish  Silurus,  .  299 
Syrnium:  surnion  —  an  owl,  .  108 
Tachycineta:  tachus— swift;  kineo 

—to  move 71 

TALPID^E:  L.,  talpa— a  mole,  .  24 
Tamias:  tamias— a  steward,  .  28 
TANAGRID^B:  Tanagra  (tanagra 

a  copper  kettle  ?),  .       .         69 

TANTALID^E:  ....  133 
Tantalus:  a  mythological  name,  133 
Taxidea:  taxus— an  allied  genus; 

eidos— form,  .  .  .  .  19 
TEID^E:  tejus— a  vernacular  name,  170 
TELKOCEPHALI  :  teleos— perfect ; 

kephale— head,  ....  215 
TELEOSTEI:  teleos— perfect;  osteon 

—bone, 214 

Telipomis  :     teleis  —  full-grown 

("spotted");  poma — opercle,        234 
Telmatodytes  :   telmatodutes— liv- 
ing in  ponds,       ....        55 
Teretulus:  L.,  teres— cylindrical,    295 
TKSTUDINATA:     .      .      .      .      159 

TESTUDINIDJ3 160 

Testudo:  L.,  a  turtle,  .  .  .  161 
Tetrao:  tetraon— a  grouse,  .  118 
TETRAONID^E:  .  .  .  .  118 
Thalasseus:  thalassa— the  ocean,  151 
Thryno sternum  :  ihura— a  door  ; 

sternon— sternum,  .  .  .  166 
Thryomanes  :  thruon  —  a  rush  ; 

manes— a  cup  (nest?),  .  .  55 
Thryothorus  :  thruon—  a  rush  ; 

thereuo— to  seek,       ...        54 
Thymallus  :  L.,  a  grayling  (a  fish 
supposed    to    feed    on    water 
thyme) 262 


342 


INDEX, 


PAGE. 

Tinnunculua:  L.,  a  kestrel,  spar- 
row-hawk  Ill 

Totanus:  Latin  name,  .  .  128 
Toxicophis:  toxikos— poison  (for 

smearing  arrows);  ophis— snake  184 
Trachemys:  trachus— rough ;  emus 

—turtle 165 

Triglopsis  :    trigla  —  a  gurnard; 

opsis— appearance,    .       .       .       245 
Tringa:  L.,  a  sandpiper,    .       .       127 
Tringoides;   L.,  tringa— a  sand- 
piper; aides— like,     .       .      .       129 
Trigonocevhalus  :    treis  —  three: 

Cronos— angle;  TiepfcaZe— head,       184 
TRIONYCHID^E:  Trionyx;  treis— 
three;  onux — claw,    .       .       .       167 

TROCHILID^E 100 

Trochilus:  trochilos—a  small  bird 
(wren)  said  to  pick  the  teeth  of 

crocodiles, 100 

Trogl ody tes :   troglodutes  —  living 

in  caves, 55 

TROGLODYTID^E 53 

Tropidoclonium:   tropis— a  keel; 

clonion— a  small  twig,     .       .       176 
Tropidolepis:  tropis— a  keel;  lepis 

scale 169 

Tropidonotus  :     tropis  —  a  keel ; 

notos  —  back 175 

Trutta:  L.,  a  trout,      .       .       .       259 
Tryngites:    L.,   tringa  —  a   sand- 
piper  129 

TURDID^E, 45 

Turdus:  L.,  a  thrush,  .  .  .  47 
Typhlichthys  :  tuphlos  —  blind  ; 

ichthus  —  fish 257 

TYRAITNID^E 95 

Tyrannus:  turannos— a  tyrant,  96 
Umbla:  L.,  a  river  fish,  .  .  259 
Umbra:  L.,  a  grayling,  .  .  253 


PAGE. 

UMBRID^E, s>5£ 

UNGULATA;  L.,  ungulatus  —  hav- 
ing hoofs 20 

Uranidea:  ouranos— the  sky;  eido 

—  to  see 248 

Urocyon:  our  a  —  tail;  Ituon.—  dog    17 
URODELA:  euro— tail;   delos— ob- 
vious  190 

URSID^E, IS 

Ursus:  L.,  a  bear,        ...        20 
VERTEBRATA-.  L.,  vertebrates,  9 

Vesperides:    L.,   vesper  —  evening,  23 
Vesperimus:  L.,  vesper— evening: 

mus  —  mouse,  ....  31 
Vespertilio:  L.,  vespertilio-a  bat,  22 
VESPERTILIONID^E,  ...  22 
Vesperugo:  L.,  vesper— evening,  23 
Vesperus:  L.,  vesperus  —  evening,  23 
Vireo:  L.,  vireo  —  a  green  finch; 

(rireo  — to  grow  green),  .  76 
VIRECXMD.E,  ....  73 
Vireosylvia:  vireo-sylvia,  .  75 
Virginia:  Virginia,  name  of  the 

state  where  first  found,  .      .       182 
Vulpes:  L.,  a  fox,         ...         17 
Wilsonia:  to  Alexander  Wilson, 
the  "  Father  of  American  Orni- 
thology,"       68 

Xanthocephalus :    xanthos  —  yel- 
low; kephale—  head,         .       .         92 
Xeina:  a  coined  name,       .      .       151 
Xerobates:  xeros — dry,       .      .       161 

ZAPODID^B, 29 

Zap  us:  za— strong;  pows— foot,         30 
Zensedura:    zenaida—  a  zenaida- 

dove;  our o— tail,  .  .  .  116 
Zonotrichia:  zonos— zone  or  band; 

trichion— hair  (crown),    .       .         86 
Zygonectes :  zugos— yoke ;  nektes— 
swimmer, 252 


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BIOLOGY 

LIBRARY 

JUN  2-  1948 

1 

LD  21-10m-7,'39(402s) 

Jordan,  David  S. 

— Manual  of  the  verte- 


J6 


brates  of  northern  U.S 


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